Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Theo JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Theo Johnson's 7.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Kenneth Gainwell (10.9 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Theo Johnson (7.0 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#26PPG LEADER

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

TENew York Giants#24

Theo Johnson

PPG

7.0

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

528

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Theo Johnson

Head to Head

10.9 PPG7.0 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Theo Johnson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #24 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Theo Johnson: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Theo Johnson (TE, New York Giants) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Theo Johnson posted 7.0 PPG across 15 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Kenneth Gainwell has his bye in Week 9, Theo Johnson in Week 8. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Theo Johnson is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Theo Johnson (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Theo Johnson by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Theo Johnson's 15. That durability gap means Kenneth Gainwell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kenneth Gainwell scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kenneth Gainwell caught 73 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kenneth Gainwell vs Theo Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Theo Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	7.0
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	105
Rushing Yards	537	0
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	0.0
Rushing TDs	5	0
Receptions	73	45
Receiving Yards	486	528
Targets	85	74
Total TDs	8	5
Age	27	25
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 8

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG, 3.9 points per game above Theo Johnson's 7.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kenneth Gainwell or Theo Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Theo Johnson's 7.0 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Kenneth Gainwell and Theo Johnson average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Theo Johnson averaged 7.0 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Theo Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Theo Johnson (NYG) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.