Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Pat FreiermuthWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kenneth Gainwell is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 10.9 PPG to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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. Pat Freiermuth (6.2 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

TEPittsburgh Steelers#28

Pat Freiermuth

PPG

6.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Pat Freiermuth

Head to Head

10.9 PPG6.2 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Pat Freiermuth: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #28 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 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE in most league formats.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Pat Freiermuth: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers) against Pat Freiermuth (TE, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Pat Freiermuth posted 6.2 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Kenneth Gainwell at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Pat Freiermuth is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Pat Freiermuth (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Kenneth Gainwell outscored Pat Freiermuth by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Pat Freiermuth'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.
•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 Pat Freiermuth: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Pat Freiermuth
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	6.2
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	93
Rushing Yards	537	0
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	0.0
Rushing TDs	5	0
Receptions	73	41
Receiving Yards	486	486
Targets	85	54
Total TDs	8	4
Age	27	27
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 9

Summary

Kenneth Gainwell outscored Pat Freiermuth by 4.7 PPG in 2025 (10.9 to 6.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Kenneth Gainwell or Pat Freiermuth in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kenneth Gainwell has the edge at 10.9 PPG compared to Pat Freiermuth's 6.2 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 Pat Freiermuth average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Pat Freiermuth averaged 6.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

Do Kenneth Gainwell and Pat Freiermuth share a bye week?▾

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