Well, that Pittsburgh Steelers running back rotation all shook out like we expected, right? After Najee Harris’ departure, Pittsburgh made moves to beef up the RB group, adding Kenneth Gainwell as a free agent behind Jaylen Warren and drafting Kaleb Johnson. I doubt anyone expected Johnson, a popular middle-to-late round fantasy draft choice, to get only one touch in Week 1 while Kenneth Gainwell outperformed him. But here we are. Now, we must ask the question: Can Kenneth Gainwell be trusted as a flex option in Week 2?
Week 1 Breakdown
In a high-scoring game, there were touches aplenty to go around for the Pittsburgh Steelers running backs. However, nobody jumped out as hyper-efficient. Starter Jaylen Warren toted the ball 11 times for 37 yards, while adding two catches for 22 yards and a score. Gainwell was next in terms of workload, running seven times for 19 yards while securing three catches for four yards. Johnson, despite the preseason hype, had just one carry that lost two yards while not being targeted in the passing game.
The snap totals paint an interesting story. Gainwell played on 30 offensive snaps to Warren’s 25, while Johnson only had two. This may be a true committee situation we have on our hands. But that won’t exactly make Gainwell viable.
The Seahawks defense that Pittsburgh faces in Week 2 is excellent against the run. Leonard Williams can single-handedly destroy the run game, while their rangy linebackers and defensive backs can clean up what he cannot. It’s a tough prospect for any running back, even those with volume. So this leaves us in a predicament.
The Verdict
I don’t even feel good about starting Warren in PPR formats, and he is the better passing-down back. If Arthur Smith truly wants to involve Gainwell, it does give him flex appeal. But we only have a one-week sample to go on. In the case that Johnson becomes involved or Warren takes a higher share, Gainwell could be a dud, especially against such a stout defense. He’s worth stashing and a speculative add if he is on waivers, but don’t count on Gainwell in your fantasy lineups unless you are already desperate.
