Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or Brashard Smith

Friday, October 31, 11:14 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has been all but an afterthought in the team's rushing attack since the return of backfield mate Jaylen Warren in Week 6. Warren missed a game earlier in the season with a knee injury, in which Gainwell erupted for 134 total yards and two rushing scores. However, following Pittsburgh's Week 5 bye, the latter has taken a backseat in terms of playing time and touch share. With the way things have been, fantasy managers can't trust the University of Memphis product to provide standalone value. While Gainwell would handle a majority of the work in the event Warren were to miss more time, he's presently better relegated to handcuff duties.

Tuesday, November 4, 8:25 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith continues to be a part of the Chiefs' backfield rotation, but he had a disappointing showing in Week 9 against the Bills. He had three carries for seven yards and couldn't haul in his only target. The converted receiver was drafted by the Chiefs in the seventh round, and he has played a significant role behind Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco (knee) in some game scripts. In Week 9, though, even with Pacheco out, he couldn't get much going, while Hunt dominated touches and production. With the Chiefs headed to a bye week, Smith is worth holding or picking up from the waiver wire in deep leagues since he does still have upside down the road. However, in most standard leagues, better backfield options are available in other timeshare situations. Smith is definitely worth monitoring as a playmaker in the Chiefs' potent offense, but his role will be limited if Pacheco is ready to return in Week 11.