Jaleel McLaughlin vs Kenneth Gainwell
Who should you start in Week 7? This week's matchups and projections.
Who to start in Week 7
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Kenneth Gainwell by 0.0 projected points (3.5 vs 3.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Kenneth Gainwell faces CAR, the 8th-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week. Jaleel McLaughlin faces ARI, the 21st-friendliest matchup a RB can draw this week.
Season-long, the model still ranks Jaleel McLaughlin ahead. This is a matchup call for Week 7, not a change of heart about the rest of the year.
This-week points are each player's projected per-game scoring rate adjusted for the matchup.
The season-long call
This one is a coin flip. The model leans Jaleel McLaughlin by 3.2 points of value over replacement (-98.4 vs -101.5), close enough that your roster build should break the tie.
The draft market hasn't priced this matchup yet, so treat it as a pure model call.
| Jaleel McLaughlinDEN | Kenneth GainwellTAM | Edge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 7 opponent | ARI | CAR | |
| Projected Week 7 points | 3.5 | 3.5 | Even |
| Matchup rank (RB vs defense, of 28) | #21 | #8 | |
| Projected 2026 points (PPR) | 60.6 | 57.4 | McLaughlin +3.2 pts |
| Points per game | 3.6 | 3.4 | |
| Value over replacement (VBD) | -98.4 | -101.5 | McLaughlin +3.2 |
| Overall rank | #186 | #188 | McLaughlin by 2 |
| Position rank | RB57 | RB58 | |
| Market ADP | - | - | |
| Typical round (12-team) | - | - | |
| Bye week | 10 | 10 |
Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Kenneth Gainwell in Week 7?
This week is a coin flip. The model leans Kenneth Gainwell by 0.0 projected points (3.5 vs 3.5), close enough that either call is defensible.
Should I draft Jaleel McLaughlin or Kenneth Gainwell in 2026 fantasy football?
Jaleel McLaughlin. He projects 60.6 fantasy points with -98.4 value over replacement, vs 57.4 points and -101.5 for Kenneth Gainwell (RB, PPR). It's close enough to let roster needs decide.