Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Audric Estimé vs Kenneth GainwellWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Audric Estimé's 8.4 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. Audric Estimé at 8.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Kenneth Gainwell higher, but do not fade Audric Estimé entirely.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#35

Audric Estimé

PPG

8.4

Games

Rush Yds

198

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

103

Bye

Week 8

RBPittsburgh Steelers#26PPG LEADER

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Audric Estimé

Kenneth Gainwell

Head to Head

8.4 PPG10.9 PPG

5 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Audric Estimé: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #35 at the position). Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Audric Estimé is producing at 38% of elite pace and Kenneth Gainwell at 50%. That ranking gap means Kenneth Gainwell carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Audric Estimé vs Kenneth Gainwell: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Audric Estimé and Kenneth Gainwell for your lineup, you are not alone. Audric Estimé finished the 2025 season at 8.4 PPG for the New Orleans Saints (5 games), and Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 for the Pittsburgh Steelers (17 games).

That 2.5-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 Audric Estimé profiles as a more traditional rusher with 198 rushing yards and 1 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: Audric Estimé sits Week 8 while Kenneth Gainwell is off Week 9. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Audric Estimé (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Audric Estimé by a projected 43 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Audric Estimé's 5. 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.
•Audric Estimé is 5 years younger than Kenneth Gainwell (22 vs 27), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Audric Estimé vs Kenneth Gainwell: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Audric Estimé	Kenneth Gainwell
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.4	10.9
Games Played	5	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	42	185
Rushing Yards	198	537
Rush Yds/Game	39.6	31.6
Rushing TDs	1	5
Receptions	12	73
Receiving Yards	103	486
Targets	13	85
Total TDs	1	8
Age	22	27
Experience	1 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Kenneth Gainwell at 10.9 PPG, 2.5 points per game above Audric Estimé's 8.4. 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 Audric Estimé or Kenneth Gainwell in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Audric Estimé's 8.4 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 Audric Estimé and Kenneth Gainwell average in 2025?▾

Audric Estimé averaged 8.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 5 games in 2025. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 2.5 points per game.

When are Audric Estimé and Kenneth Gainwell's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Audric Estimé (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Audric Estimé or Kenneth Gainwell a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Audric Estimé by 2.5 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.