Dobbins
RB · DEN vs KC
Kickoff Sun 4:25 PM ET
Projected points6.4pts
Gainwell
RB · TB vs ATL
Kickoff Sun 1:00 PM ETLatest report: Limited · Hip
Projected points5.8pts
if he plays · 80% to play
Toss-up
Bench
J.K. Dobbins or Kenny Gainwell: Who Should I Start in Week 8?
Toss-up. J.K. Dobbins gets the nod over Kenny Gainwell.
- Ahead by
- +0.6pts
- over Gainwell if he plays
- Confidence
- Lower
- Kenny Gainwell may not play (about 80% to play)
- Started
- 38%
- of leagues
Case for Gainwell
The case for Gainwell is a softer run defense (4.1 yards a carry allowed to 3.4) and more carries that keep drives going (39% to 30%).
Flips if
An injury tag on J.K. Dobbins or a bigger role for Kenny Gainwell.
Risk
Kenny Gainwell was limited in practice (hip): check the inactives, posted about 90 minutes before kickoff. Weather in Kenny Gainwell's game: Outdoor · 73F, 10 mph wind, 100% rain. Check it again before kickoff. As of Fri 2:00 PM ET
Highlights
DobbinsToss-upRB · DEN vs KCUsually 8.3−1.9pts this week
Helps him
- 1.1inside the 5He averages 1.1 carries a game inside the 5, so touchdowns stay in reach.
- +4.1last 3 vs avgHis last three games run 4.1 points above his season average.
- 3games in a rowHe has scored a touchdown in 3 straight games.
Hurts him
- −1.9ptsrush yardsHis lines put him at 22.5 rushing yards, below his usual 41.9.
- −0.5ptstouchdownsHis lines put him at 0.35 touchdowns, below his usual 0.43.
- KCvs RBsEdgeKC is the 9th toughest defense for running backs.
- 41%snapsHe plays only 41% of snaps, so his work comes in rotation.
GainwellFirst outRB · TB vs ATLUsually 5.6+0.2pts this week
Helps him
- +0.7ptstouchdownsHis lines put him at 0.26 touchdowns, above his usual 0.14.
- ATLvs RBsEdgeATL is the 9th softest defense for running backs.
Hurts him
- −0.7ptsrush yardsHis lines put him at 14.5 rushing yards, below his usual 21.3.
- 13%touchesHe handles only 13% of his team’s touches, so the work is shared.
- 3.5floorA quiet week could drop to about 3.5 points.
Points are what each line adds to or takes off his usual week. EdgeFrom the game around him.
Stat comparison
Every player you picked, stat by stat, most important first.
Stat
Scoring
ProjectionDobbins: 6.4 (best)Gainwell: 5.8
TD pointsof the projectionDobbins: 2.1 (best)Gainwell: 1.6
Expected TDsthis weekDobbins: 0.35 (best)Gainwell: 0.26
Projected team pointsDobbins: 19.8Gainwell: 23.0 (best)
Goal line carriesper gameDobbins: 1.1 (best)Gainwell: 0.0
Red zone carriesper gameDobbins: 1.9 (best)Gainwell: 0.4
Red zone targetsper gameDobbins: 0.0Gainwell: 0.4 (best)
Role
Snap shareDobbins: 41% (best)Gainwell: 36%
Usage worthptsDobbins: 10.3 (best)Gainwell: 6.2
Touch shareDobbins: 31% (best)Gainwell: 13%
Target shareDobbins: 5%Gainwell: 8% (best)
Touches / gameDobbins: 13.6 (best)Gainwell: 6.4
Targets / gameDobbins: 1.3Gainwell: 2.4 (best)
Vacated touches this weekDobbins: 2.6 (best)Gainwell: 0.0
High value touches / gameDobbins: 2.6 (best)Gainwell: 1.7
Goal line carry shareDobbins: 62% (best)Gainwell: 0%
Red zone touches / gameDobbins: 1.9 (best)Gainwell: 0.9
Rush success rateDobbins: 30%Gainwell: 39% (best)
Breakaway rate (20+ yd runs)Dobbins: 0%Gainwell: 3.0% (best)
Usage worth vs scoredDobbins: Earned by usage 10.3Scored 8.3Gainwell: Earned by usage 6.2Scored 5.6
Rush yards / gameDobbins: 41.9 (best)Gainwell: 21.3
Points from rushingDobbins: 82%Gainwell: 38%
Receiving TDs vs RZ targetsDobbins: 0 RZ targetsGainwell: Above
WOPRDobbins: 0.06Gainwell: 0.09 (best)
RZ target shareDobbins: 0%Gainwell: 11% (best)
Inside 10 target shareDobbins: 0%Gainwell: 20% (best)
Catch rateDobbins: 89% (best)Gainwell: 71%
Rushing points / gameDobbins: 6.8 pts / game (best)Gainwell: 2.1 pts / game
Rushing floorDobbins: 5.6 pts / game (best)Gainwell: 1.7 pts / game
Range
FloorDobbins: 3.8 (best)Gainwell: 3.5
CeilingDobbins: 10.3 (best)Gainwell: 9.0
Points from TDssteadier when lowerDobbins: 31%Gainwell: 15%
Big weeks (20+ pts)Dobbins: 0%Gainwell: 0%
Dud weeks (under 8 pts)lower is betterDobbins: 67%Gainwell: 67%
SteadinessDobbins: Steady±5.1 pts · 6 gamesGainwell: Steady (best)±3.2 pts · 6 games
Matchup
Matchup gradevs his positionDobbins: D+2026, 6 gmGainwell: B (best)2026, 7 gm
Game scriptDobbins: Expected to trailGainwell: Expected to lead (best)
Opp takeaways / gamelower is betterDobbins: 1.7Gainwell: 1.3 (best)
Defense funnelDobbins: NeutralGainwell: Neutral
Opp rush yds allowedDobbins: 13th (average) (best)Gainwell: 4th (tough)
Backfield roleDobbins: CommitteeGainwell: Backup
Opp defender outDobbins: Norman-Lott (DT)Gainwell: None listed
WeatherDobbins: No concernGainwell: Outdoor73F, 10 mph wind, 100% rain
Roof / surfacegrassDobbins: OpenGainwell: Open
Rest / scheduleDobbins: NormalGainwell: Normal
Opp paceDobbins: 24th (slow)Gainwell: 21st (average) (best)
Opp stuff rateDobbins: 21%9th (tough)Gainwell: 20% (best)10th (tough)
Opp yards per carry allowedDobbins: 3.42nd (tough)Gainwell: 4.1 (best)12th (average)
Opp pass yds allowedDobbins: 12th (average)Gainwell: 29th (soft) (best)
Opp deep targets allowed / gameDobbins: 0.01st (tough)Gainwell: 0.1 (best)24th (soft)
Opp catch rate allowedDobbins: 79% (best)17th (average)Gainwell: 70%4th (tough)
Starting QBDobbins: Nix (Active)Gainwell: Mayfield (Active)
Form
Last 3 avgDobbins: 12.4 (best)Gainwell: 6.0
Last 5 avgDobbins: 10.2 (best)Gainwell: 6.3
vs seasonDobbins: +4.1 (Rising) (best)Gainwell: +0.4 (Steady)
Yards per carryDobbins: 3.4Gainwell: 4.5 (best)
Carries / gameDobbins: 12.4 (best)Gainwell: 4.7
Yards per route runDobbins: 0.87Gainwell: 0.94 (best)
Receiving aDOTDobbins: −1.1Gainwell: −2.3
Touch share trendDobbins: SteadyGainwell: Steady
Crowd
Started in leaguesDobbins: 38%Gainwell: Not widely started
Nuvela position ranklower is betterDobbins: RB36 (best)Gainwell: RB41
Yards linerushingDobbins: 22.5 (best)Gainwell: 14.5
Deciding on someone else?
Choose 2 to 5 players for any week.