Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or Elijah Mitchell

Thursday, October 9, 10:31 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell exploded in Week 4's game in Ireland, but fantasy managers should temper expectations moving forward. With Jaylen Warren sidelined against the Minnesota Vikings, Gainwell took full advantage of the opportunity, racking up 134 total yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. With Warren practicing ahead of Week 6, the former Eagles back will return to his RB2 role in the offense. A tough Week 6 matchup against the Cleveland Browns looms large, as Cleveland has allowed the fewest rushing yards in the NFL through five weeks. Even if he continues to earn touches behind Warren, Gainwell remains a risky fantasy start this week.

Friday, September 5, 7:20 PM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Elijah Mitchell is a healthy inactive for the Week 1 regular-season opener on Friday night in Brazil against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, according to Nate Taylor of ESPN. It's bad news for Mitchell heading into his first year with the Chiefs, as it looks like he's the RB4 to open the year, behind starter Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith. The 27-year-old was getting some first-team reps early in training camp, but that was a long time ago in late July. Mitchell signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with KC in the offseason after spending his first three NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In his three years in the Bay Area, the former sixth-rounder in 2021 out of Louisiana averaged 4.7 yards per tote on 327 rush attempts for 1,523 yards and nine touchdowns (five in his rookie season).