Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or Jaret Patterson

Monday, January 5, 10:49 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell continued to function as one of his team's most trusted offensive weapons in Week 18, recording 74 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 13 touches in a win over the Baltimore Ravens. While Gainwell scored his touchdown as a rusher, he did most of his work as a receiver, hauling in eight catches for 64 yards on nine targets. The 26-year-old finishes his 2025 season with 1,023 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns on 187 touches across 17 games played. He earned at least seven targets from Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in four out of the team's final five games. Gainwell will be a free agent once Pittsburgh's 2025 playoff run ends, so he's uncertain to be back with the Steelers next season. However, he could be a valuable PPR option for fantasy managers in 2026, particularly if he ends up playing alongside Rodgers in Pittsburgh for a second straight year.

Monday, December 1, 6:41 PM

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in the team's 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After being signed to the active roster early last week, Patterson served as the primary back behind Kimani Vidal as the Chargers totaled 192 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Patterson looked decisive and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season as the offense relied heavily on the ground game following Justin Herbert's hand injury. Looking ahead, rookie Omarion Hampton's return from IR is imminent after his 21-day practice window opened last week, which would move Patterson behind Hampton and Vidal. Next Monday night, the Bolts face a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has recently been vulnerable against the run. However, Patterson's fantasy value depends entirely on Hampton's availability in Week 14. If Hampton returns, Patterson might not even see the field. If he doesn't, Patterson will remain a depth piece with a few change-of-pace carries.