Kenneth Gainwell vs Zach Charbonnet: Who Should You Start?
The gap between Kenneth Gainwell and Zach Charbonnet is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.2 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers across 17 games, and Zach Charbonnet posted 10.7 with the Seattle Seahawks in 16.
When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Zach Charbonnet profiles as a more traditional rusher with 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.
Kenneth Gainwell has his bye in Week 11, and Zach Charbonnet rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
