Kenneth Gainwell fantasy football news and podcast insights

PositiveValueJul 27, 2026Kyle

I've been very vocal this offseason that my primary draft strategy in 2026 is to secure two of my favorite high-upside RBs in the first three rounds Toward the end of drafts, there are three RBs that I plan on stashing on my bench in every single redraft league I am in 1. Jonathon Brooks (RB39) 2. Kenneth Gainwell (RB33) 3. Blake Corum (RB38) These players are currently priced as "handcuff RBs", but each has a very realistic path to weekly upside Not to mention that if their primary competiti...

Gainwell is replacing pass-catching specialist Rachaad White and has a clear role in the Bucs' committee. He averaged the sixth-most targets per game at the position (4.8) and a 24% TPRR last season. In a full-PPR format, this role might be the most valuable of the three Tampa Bay RBs, and there's contingent upside should Bucky Irving underperform or struggle with injuries.

PositiveRoleJul 26, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

PositiveNewsJul 26, 2026Zain Dhanani

Somewhat speculative but the hosts believe the Chiefs will bring back the screen game a lot more in 2026 to help solve the blitz Noted they now have the personnel to do it Take: Think this could be great for Kenneth Walker Via @KCSportsNetwork

PositiveNewsJul 25, 2026Zain Dhanani

For those who want to know more about what both Bucky and Gainwell offer from a trusted RB evaluator @MattWaldman and @TheOGfantasy discussed this here <https://youtu.be/9P1pI3xfDEc?t=2794&is=NLsNkcrSIcBVpTEX>

Gainwell, signed as a free agent, worked his way up to '1B' status with Irving during spring practices; offensive coordinator Robinson notes the two backs possess similar skill sets, and Gainwell could challenge for the starting role this summer or in-season. In his fifth NFL season with Pittsburgh, Gainwell broke out as PPR RB16. Including playoffs, his 77 receptions tie for third at the position. Among 32 RBs with 35+ targets, he ranks second in target rate (24.5%), seventh in YPRR (1.44) and catch rate (88.5%); among 45 RBs with 120+ rushing attempts, he ranks last in yards after contact per attempt (2.4) and first-down/TD rate (15.6%), with only 120 rushing attempts total, indicating elite pass-game efficiency but limited ground-game volume. Both Irving (5-foot-10, 195 pounds) and Gainwell (5-foot-9, 200 pounds) are undersized, making a committee approach sensible for the Buccaneers backfield.

PositiveRoleJul 24, 2026NBC Sports Rotoworld

PositiveUsageJul 24, 2026Zain Dhanani

On Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell: The goal is to reduce Bucky’s workload so he can be more efficient Pewter report truly believes this is 1A/1B Take: I’ve been out on Bucky - lighter workload without pass catching and goal line is similar to JK Dobbins later

PositiveValueJul 23, 2026Kyle

I took a look at every top-5 scoring offense over the last 5 years and calculated the average fantasy finish across each position for these offenses: QB: 5.5 RB1: 10.2 WR1: 11.3 WR2. 29.3 TE: 9.4 Here are some notable teams with top-5 scoring upside that likely have severely underpriced players on ESPN 1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence: QB12 - Bhayshul Tuten: RB26 - Parker Washington: WR38 - Brian Thomas: WR37 - Brenton Strange: TE20 I like Lawrence, Tuten, and Washington at their ADP...

Mentioned as 'Goatwell' with upside. One owner notes he 'should be RB1' but acknowledges he's not being counted as acceptable RB1 floor. Positioned as late-round value play. Limited discussion of specific role.

PositiveSleeperJul 22, 2026Reddit /r/fantasyfootball

PositiveUsageJul 22, 2026Kyle

(receiving upside for the win) He’s one of the best values on the board in PPR leagues, and one of the very few RBs I am interested in toward the end of drafts (over other positions) Bucky has been one of the most efficient receivers out of the backfield through his first two seasons in the league, but Gainwell was no slouch last year: - 4.8 Targets/G (RB6), 28.6 Receiving YPG, and 1.60 YPRR (RB5) Gainwell is also a very solid pass-blocker (69.3 PFF Grade) and fairly underrated as a rusher: -...

Signed 2-year $12M deal (vs. Rachaad White's 1-year $2M with Commanders). 2025: 73 targets, 537 rushing yards, 5 TDs in career-high role. Community debate: some see him as pass-down/receiving back replacing White; others skeptical he'll vulture significant carries from Irving. Gainwell career: 537 rushing yards and 5 TDs best season; prior to 2025 never exceeded 364 yards. Comments note he's year-6 RB on third team with modest career resume; one argues 'Gainwell is a carry backup who benefitted by being on team with no WRs.' Consensus: value play if Irving gets injured or loses role, but not preferred over Irving as starter.

PositiveRoleJul 21, 2026Reddit /r/fantasyfootball

PositiveNewsJul 21, 2026Kyle

I'm taking a look at the Buccaneers OL, and it's led me to my first pro Bucky Irving tweet of maybe the entire offseason (kind of) The two best players on the OL are Tristan Wirfs (LT) and Luke Goedeke (RT), who both play on the outside New OC, Zac Robinson, ran outside zone rushing schemes at the highest rate in the league last season, by a mile, at 55.8% (per @FantasyPtsData) It's a small sample size for both RBs (34 and 38 attempts), but here is how Irving and Gainwell performed in that s...

PositiveValueJul 21, 2026Zain Dhanani

What would you do different? I struggled with when I took the ADP value for a player I like (Parker Washingto) vs shoring up RB Knew I had Dobbins (someone jumped ADP for him), Gainwell, etc later Going back to my Y2 RB post, I’m choosing Jordan James as the RB2 right now

Kenneth Gainwell is a 9th-round value pick who has a chance to hold a true role in the Buccaneers backfield alongside Bucky Irving. He took off from Week 8 onward last season with strong passing-game involvement (85 targets, 73 receptions, 483 receiving yards, 3 TDs).

PositiveValueJul 19, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Kenneth Gainwell is selected in the draft at pick 105, indicating the analyst sees value at this position in the draft.

PositiveUsageJul 18, 2026Flock Fantasy

Gainwell is part of a Buccaneers offense projected to bounce back this year with the 15th highest scoring projection and fifth best offensive line.

PositiveBreakoutJul 18, 2026Ron Stewart

Article notes RB7 PPG after Week 11 and Bowles calling it 1A/1B backfield. Community sentiment is positive—multiple comments express love for Gainwell this year, and he's viewed as one of the two most conviction picks before round 13 (alongside Brooks, though Brooks is heavily criticized). Priced accordingly and seen as a legitimate late-round target.

PositiveValueJul 18, 2026Reddit /r/fantasyfootball

Kenneth Gainwell is used as a comparison point for Dylan Sampson, who profiles as a cheaper version with arguably more pure handcuff upside.

PositiveValueJul 17, 2026Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz

Gainwell was a league winner down the stretch in 2025, averaging 6.7 carries per game (career high) and posting 2.10 yards per route run (14th), with strong explosive run rate and missed tackle rate metrics.

PositiveProjectionJul 16, 2026FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast

Kenneth Gainwell became a really good player down the stretch last year when drafted outside the top 100, demonstrating late-round RB value.

PositiveSleeperJul 16, 2026BDGE Fantasy Football

Gainwell is compared to Tiki Barber as a smart, versatile runner with good receiving ability and blocking skills, and coaches consistently love him across multiple NFL teams.

PositiveRoleJul 16, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell is one of the reasons to be open-minded to hero RB strategy this year, offering value in what was traditionally considered the dead zone of running back selections.

PositiveValueJul 16, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell represents significant value in the dead zone of running back selections and should be drafted in almost every league given his receiving prowess and role in Tampa Bay's offense.

PositiveSleeperJul 16, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell is expected to lead the Buccaneers' receiving game and get around 200 touches in the running game, with the analyst comparing him to Tiki Barber as a smart, versatile runner who can catch and block.

PositiveRoleJul 16, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell is projected as an 1,100-1,200 yard total runner with 8-11 touchdowns, expected to be the trusted red zone target in Tampa Bay's backfield.

PositiveProjectionJul 16, 2026RotoWire

If Bucky gets injured, Kenny Gainwell would become a running back two every single week and could potentially be a flex-worthy running back three most weeks in full PPR.

PositiveBreakoutJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

Will get receptions, early down carries on passing downs, two-minute drill, four-minute drill situations, and red zone design packages, providing consistent playing time and scoring opportunities.

PositiveRoleJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

A really solid pick at the 9/10 turn with a reasonable price tag, offering locked-in receptions and early down carries despite not being drafted early, making him a safe fourth or fifth running back option.

PositiveValueJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

Gainwell is a really solid pick at the 9-10 turn, offering locked-in receptions and early down carries on passing downs and two-minute situations, though without a ton of touchdowns or early down work.

PositiveValueJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football Advice

Listed as a running back option around round nine with no specific concerns noted.

PositiveProjectionJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz

PositiveSleeperJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz

PositiveSleeperJul 15, 2026Fantasy Football with Ian Hartitz

Gainwell's pass-catching ability is the main appeal, and he is likely to carve out a role on early downs while taking over Rachaad White's third-down and two-minute role in Tampa Bay's backfield.

PositiveRoleJul 15, 2026Fantasy Life Articles

Gainwell is priced at 107 overall ADP while the analyst has him at 111, indicating the market is slightly ahead of their valuation, and he's becoming less of a bargain.

PositiveValueJul 14, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell is guaranteed to play in passing situations and will be the passing-down back, which limits Irving's pass-catching upside.

PositiveRoleJul 14, 2026RotoWire

Kenneth Gainwell has converged upward in ADP while Bucky Irving has fallen, creating a dynamic where Gainwell may reach higher running back values in drafts.

PositiveValueJul 14, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell signed a meaningful contract with the Buccaneers on the first day of free agency, indicating the team expects him to have a significant offensive role in 2026. This limits Bucky Irving's upside and red zone opportunity.

PositiveRoleJul 13, 2026FantasyPros Articles

Gainwell is viewed as a problem that could cap Irving's receiving upside, though he was the 1B back last year with 87 targets while Warren had 43, creating a split in receiving work.

NegativeRoleJul 11, 2026RotoWire

Gainwell has risen to running back 33 with occasional seventh round appearances, and his addition to the Buccaneers is concerning as it could cap Irving's receiving upside.

NegativeValueJul 11, 2026RotoWire

Kenneth Gainwell has risen to running back 33 with occasional seventh round appearances, converging with Bucky Irving's ADP after a period where he was considered more appealing.

PositiveValueJul 11, 2026RotoWire