Head to Head

Updated June 5, 2026 from live stats

Kenneth Gainwell vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.6 PPG to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Rhamondre Stevenson is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Rhamondre Stevenson and Kenneth Gainwell are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#26

Kenneth Gainwell

PPG

10.9

Games

Rush Yds

537

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

486

Bye

Week 9

RBNew England Patriots#22PPG LEADER

Rhamondre Stevenson

PPG

11.6

Games

Rush Yds

603

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

345

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Kenneth Gainwell

Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

10.9 PPG11.6 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Kenneth Gainwell: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #26 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Kenneth Gainwell is producing at 50% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Rhamondre Stevenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Kenneth Gainwell vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Kenneth Gainwell finished the 2025 season at 10.9 PPG over 17 games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Rhamondre Stevenson clocked in at 11.6 across 14 appearances for the New England Patriots. A 0.7-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Kenneth Gainwell is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 73 targets into 486 yards, while Rhamondre Stevenson profiles as a more traditional rusher with 603 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Kenneth Gainwell carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Kenneth Gainwell is off Week 9 and Rhamondre Stevenson Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Kenneth Gainwell (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Kenneth Gainwell by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kenneth Gainwell played 17 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 14. That durability gap means Kenneth Gainwell contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Rhamondre Stevenson scored 9 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.6 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Kenneth Gainwell vs Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Kenneth Gainwell	Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)	10.9	11.6
Games Played	17	14
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	185	162
Rushing Yards	537	603
Rush Yds/Game	31.6	43.1
Rushing TDs	5	7
Receptions	73	32
Receiving Yards	486	345
Targets	85	37
Total TDs	8	9
Age	27	28
Experience	4 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Rhamondre Stevenson at 11.6 PPG, 0.7 points per game above Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Rhamondre Stevenson has the edge at 11.6 PPG compared to Kenneth Gainwell's 10.9 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?▾

Kenneth Gainwell averaged 10.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Kenneth Gainwell and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Rhamondre Stevenson (NE) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Kenneth Gainwell or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Rhamondre Stevenson outscored Kenneth Gainwell by 0.7 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.