Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Tyjae SpearsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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. Tyjae Spears at 6.9 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kenneth Gainwell higher, but do not fade Tyjae Spears 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

RBTennessee Titans#48

Tyjae Spears

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

283

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

264

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Tyjae Spears

Head to Head

10.9 PPG6.9 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Tyjae Spears: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Tyjae Spears at 31%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Tyjae Spears: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Kenneth Gainwell and Tyjae Spears for your lineup, you are not alone. Kenneth Gainwell finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games), and Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 for the Tennessee Titans (13 games).

That 4.0-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.

Both are three-down backs with real passing-game roles. Kenneth Gainwell caught 73 balls for 486 yards, and Tyjae Spears hauled in 45 for 264. That receiving workload gives them high PPR floors even in games where the ground attack gets stuffed, and it is why both stay on the field in obvious passing situations.

Both share a Week 9 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Kenneth Gainwell is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tyjae Spears 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. Tyjae Spears (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Tyjae Spears by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyjae Spears's 13. 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.
•Both players share a Week 9 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kenneth Gainwell vs Tyjae Spears: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Tyjae Spears
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	6.9
Games Played	17	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	90
Rushing Yards	537	283
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	21.8
Rushing TDs	5	2
Receptions	73	45
Receiving Yards	486	264
Targets	85	50
Total TDs	8	2
Age	27	24
Experience	4 yrs	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG, 4.0 points per game above Tyjae Spears's 6.9. 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 Tyjae Spears in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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 Tyjae Spears average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

Do Kenneth Gainwell and Tyjae Spears share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Kenneth Gainwell and Tyjae Spears share a Week 9 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Tyjae Spears a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Tyjae Spears by 4.0 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.