Which is better, Michael Carter or Kenneth Gainwell? We’ll discuss both in this article. If you can’t decide, consider Javonte Williams. Both have great vision and great balance, and are unquestionably fast. Carter was a committee back for Williams, but has had some success in the NFL rotation system. Both are outside zone runners, which are attractive to teams that like to attack the defense from the outside.
Kenneth Gainwell
If you’re in the market for a RB in the second round, you may be considering selecting Kenneth Gainwell or Michael Carter. Both players were activated from reserve this week, and they are projected to score zero points this week. But which one is better? We’ll break down each player’s strengths and weaknesses to make an informed decision. Hopefully you’ll be able to find the best player for your team at the end of this article.
As the Eagles’ RB1 after Miles Sanders’ ankle injury against the Raiders, Gainwell may be the better option. The rookie from Memphis has just one year of production under his belt, and fell in the draft to the fifth round. He weighs around 200 pounds, so he’ll be competing for a role as a third down back in Philadelphia. Neither of these players will break the 1,000-yard mark in rushing, but both have decent upside in PPR leagues.
The emergence of Gainwell’s career has sparked much anticipation and speculation. The redshirt sophomore was ranked among the nation’s top backs and was even on the Doak Walker Award watch list. Gainwell is a multi-faceted running/receiving threat with elite vision, footwork, and balance. He’s unpredictable in the open field and has a variety of skills, including elite lateral quickness, receiver-like spatial awareness, and instinctive running ability. The biggest question remains: Which is better: Kenneth Gainwell or Michael Carter?
For the Jets, both are solid choices. However, the Jets’ RB room is not particularly talented, so Chris Carter should easily start the season. But while the draft hype was overshadowed by Javonte Williams, Carter’s production last year was still impressive. While he put up similar receiving stats to Williams, his overall talent is superior. Still, Carter walks into a great situation.
Michael Carter
In the NFL Draft, who should the Eagles select over Michael Carter or Gainwell? Both have a lot of potential, but which one has the most upside? Obviously, Gainwell will be the better overall pick, but there are plenty of other reasons to take Carter. Listed below are a few pros and cons of each player. Carter has better speed and balance, but Gainwell’s upside is undisputed. Gainwell is a better pure runner and could be an ideal fit for the run-heavy Ravens offense.
While both players are capable of running the ball, Carter’s lack of size is a significant issue. He’ll have to improve on his size to become a reliable NFL back. He’s a great pass-blocker, but he’s still vulnerable to shoestring tackles. Plus, NFL defenders are much stronger than college players, so a running back needs to be able to regain his balance quickly and get through them.
The Jets haven’t addressed this position yet, but that could change on Day three. The best options for the Jets in this draft are Michael Carter and Kenneth Gainwell. Both are dynamic outside runners, but Carter has the edge as a pass-catcher. Gainwell could also fit in an outside-zone scheme. Gainwell could be the better pick if the Jets want to go with a wide-open scheme.
During the Week 8 NFL Draft, a wide-ranging fantasy football player could emerge. Gainwell was the more coveted waiver-wire player. Despite a lackluster rookie season, Gainwell finished as an RB2 or better twice and finished one week inside the top ten. During Week six, the Eagles gave Gainwell a lighter workload because Miles Sanders went down with an injury. While he did produce, Gainwell was injured and had to play catch-up.
Adam Evans
A team may consider selecting one of these three if they’re interested in a high-end RB. Evans, Carter, or Gainwell should be capable of finishing in the top 20. Depending on their measurables, they may be a better choice than another player on the same team. Despite the potential, though, Evans’ upside is questionable. While Carter is a better overall prospect than Gainwell, he isn’t the best option at this point.
With the Jets’ running back room so weak, it is hard to predict the exact role each player will play. Even if Chris Carter can start at some point in the season, Javonte Williams has the edge in rushing and receiving numbers. But Javonte Williams is a better talent. As a rookie, Carter will have a better chance of breaking out. He also faces a tough defense in the Jets’ schedule.
With the RB position being so critical to fantasy football, it would be best to consider Adam Hubbard as your top option in 2020. His early college numbers were phenomenal, but he had a rough last season for the Sooners. If Christian McCaffery cannot start, he could fill that role. And with the backup role that comes with it, Mike Davis could succeed as well. If this happens, Adam Hubbard should return to his old form and fantasy stock.
Aside from his upside as a receiver, Gainwell has a great upside as a running back. His season averaged 36 receiving yards. He outrushed every other running back prospect at the combine. His 4.47 forty-yard dash was also a highlight. He averaged 5.92 yards per attempt while running the ball. But he’s not the best RB option in a 10-team league.
Javonte Williams
Of the three running backs in the 2020 NFL Draft, which should you select: Williams, Carver, or Gainwell? The two RBs have very similar traits, but each has their own distinct advantages. Williams is a power runner who can also make tough catches out of the backfield. As a sophomore, he split time with Michael Carter, but made up for lost time by averaging nearly 7 yards per carry on 155 carries.
Javonte Williams is a bruising runner with elite intelligence. His power and effort will force defenses to run him down, so he’ll fight through every rep. His ability to run with balance and finish runs will make him an excellent choice for a team with a vacancy at running back. Still, he could benefit from hundreds of pass-catching drills to develop his technique and make harder cuts.
The Steelers’ most important need at the RB position is a reliable, versatile back who can line up in the slot or out wide. He has excellent vision and is capable of bouncing off tackles in open space. He could be used heavily in the passing game and has the talent to be efficient if he is given a consistent amount of touches. Gainwell could have been a top-five pick if he hadn’t sat out a season, but his lack of playing time has cost him that.
The Falcons’ RB room is a weak spot for fantasy football. The Falcons recently let Todd Gurley sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, and without a top-tier running back, there’s little reason to expect fantasy production from the backups. That’s why the Jets should consider drafting Javonte Williams over Michael Carver and Gainwell. However, Chris Carter is more talented than both of them, and he has more upside.
Boston Scott
It’s tough to decide between Michael Carter and Chris Gainwell this week, but there are many positives associated with each player. Gainwell has averaged 4.5 yards per carry this season and has scored two touchdowns. As the Eagles’ third running back, he should see double-digit touches if he can stay healthy. Regardless, the Eagles’ defense has been allowing opponents to average over 5.0 yards per carry.
Antonio Gibson – The Jets placed Gibson on the Reserve/COVID-19 list this week because of his hip injury. Gibson is limited in practice, and it’s difficult to gauge Gainwell’s role going forward. Until he proves otherwise, it’s best to avoid Gainwell in dynasty leagues. If you’re not sure who to start at tight end, consider using one of the other two.
Eding Words
Chris Carter – This week, Carter saw an increase in his role as a pass-catcher. He had nine receptions on 14 targets for 95 yards and 15 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. This is a positive sign for the rest of the season, and Carter should be added to your fantasy football lineup. As a rookie, he has a bright future in a young offense.
