Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or Brashard Smith

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Week 1 Projections

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Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
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TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kenneth Gainwell News

Kenneth Gainwell Should Carve Out Meaningful Role with Buccaneers

Friday, April 17, 5:15 AM

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Kenneth Gainwell was one of the league's biggest surprises in 2025, with his career-high 73 receptions trailing only Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs at the position. After keeping such elite company, he leveraged his receiving success into a two-year, $14 million deal with the Buccaneers, where he joins a team and a new offensive coordinator with prior histories of involving running backs in the passing game. Zac Robinson raised eyebrows when he initially stated his intent to deploy Bucky Irving similarly to the way he used Robinson in Atlanta, but the signing of Gainwell on the first day of free agency would suggest the bulk of the running back targets could go elsewhere. Last season, while Gainwell was nearly doubling his career receiving production in Pittsburgh, an injury-slowed Irving was splitting time with, and ceding much of the passing game work to, Rachaad White. While both backs bring versatility to what will be a new look Buccaneers offense in 2026, the safe bet will be for Gainwell to find most of his fantasy success as the dedicated passing back, as his 114 carries in 2025 also marked a career high, but were easily surpassed by Irving in only 10 games.

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Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.		 Rush.
Yds.		 Rush
TD		 Rec. Rec.
Yds.		 Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Brashard Smith News

Brashard Smith Still Third on the Depth Chart?

Saturday, April 4, 7:46 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith remains in the No. 3 spot on the depth chart as the 2026 offseason moves along. With Isaiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt departing in free agency, it seemed like there would be an opportunity for Smith to step into a much larger role this offseason. However, the Chiefs had other plans, signing Kenneth Walker III to be their every-down back and Emari Demercado to occupy the backup role. There's a slim chance that Smith could pass Demercado on the depth chart, but the latter has a much stronger track record with 819 rushing yards and 324 receiving yards (relative to Smith's 151 rushing yards and 172 receiving yards as a rookie last season). The most likely path to fantasy relevance for Smith would probably be an injury to Walker. If Walker misses time, Demercado would presumably lead the backfield, but not in an every-down role. There would be plenty of opportunities for Smith to get involved, especially in the passing game. Smith could have been an intriguing buy-low candidate in dynasty leagues if he jumped to No. 2 on the depth chart this offseason, but since he's still nestled into the No. 3 role (and could face additional competition via the NFL Draft), he's merely a hold for now.

Kenneth Gainwell vs. Brashard Smith

Still trying to decide between Gainwell and Smith? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Kenneth Gainwell is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Brashard Smith is projected to score 0.0 points.