Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Trey BensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Trey Benson's 7.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy play this season.

Kenneth Gainwell is the better play on a neutral week. 10.9 PPG with 1,023 yards gives a reliable baseline. Trey Benson at 7.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kenneth Gainwell higher, but do not fade Trey Benson entirely.

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

RBArizona Cardinals#46

Trey Benson

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

160

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Trey Benson

Head to Head

10.9 PPG7.2 PPG

17 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Trey Benson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #46 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Trey Benson at 33%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Trey Benson: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Benson for your lineup, you are not alone. Kenneth Gainwell finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games), and Trey Benson averaged 7.2 for the Arizona Cardinals (4 games).

That 3.7-point weekly advantage for Kenneth Gainwell is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Trey Benson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 160 rushing yards and undefined touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Kenneth Gainwell sits Week 9 while Trey Benson is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Trey Benson 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. Trey Benson (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Trey Benson by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Trey Benson's 4. That durability gap means Kenneth Gainwell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kenneth Gainwell caught 73 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Trey Benson is 4 years younger than Kenneth Gainwell (23 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kenneth Gainwell vs Trey Benson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Trey Benson
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	7.2
Games Played	17	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	29
Rushing Yards	537	160
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	40.0
Rushing TDs	5	0
Receptions	73	13
Receiving Yards	486	64
Targets	85	16
Total TDs	8	0
Age	27	23
Experience	4 yrs	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG, 3.7 points per game above Trey Benson's 7.2. 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 Trey Benson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Trey Benson's 7.2 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 Trey Benson average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Trey Benson averaged 7.2 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Trey Benson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Trey Benson (ARI) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Trey Benson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Trey Benson by 3.7 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.