Who Should I Start? Kenneth Gainwell or Jarquez Hunter

Wednesday, December 17, 10:01 AM

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell had a monster game in Week 15, as he totaled 126 all-purpose yards (80 on the ground, 46 through the air), played 52 percent of the snaps, and was much more efficient as a runner than backfield mate Jaylen Warren. That being said, Warren was playing with an illness leading up to the game; however, this has been trending towards an actual backfield split for about six to seven weeks now. Additionally, in PPR formats, Gainwell is seeing all of the running back receiving work; he has 31 receptions over the past five weeks (6.2 receptions per game). At the same time, Warren is seeing two, maybe three targets per game during that same stretch. On the season, Warren is RB19 while Gainwell is RB23. Given the Steelers' Week 16 matchup with the Detroit Lions, who are stout against the run (allowing the third fewest points to the running back position), it appears likely the Steelers might be in a shootout or from behind, meaning it's setting up to be a game where Gainwell sees a ton of volume in the receiving game, giving him low-end RB2/flex value in Week 16.

Wednesday, October 22, 1:04 AM

Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter was a healthy scratch for Week 7's game in London against the Jaguars. Hunter had been active for the Rams' previous five games, exclusively on special teams, but didn't suit up in London as Ronnie Rivers was brought up off the practice squad and was active as a depth piece behind starter Kyren Williams and second-year back Blake Corum. The fourth-round pick out of Auburn led the SEC last season with 6.4 yards per carry, and it remains to be seen whether he will earn any opportunities in the Rams' offense moving forward.