Kenneth Gainwell

[Born2Steel]

Kenneth Gainwell may be the best RB option for the Steelers in this 2021 draft. He opted out for the 2020 season because he lost 4 family members to Covid so no 2020 footage. This is the RB WFT's Antonio Gibson was backing up. Gainwell lines up in the backfield, as the H-Back, in the slot WR, or out wide as the X-WR. This guy is a special talent.

vs Penn State in the Cotton Bowl: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ6VHKR-pBk

vs Temple: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnjZFwxlCPM

vs Ole Miss: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Euo5LUbRPc0

vs SMU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1_pFhHqlKM

vs Navy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVqASuMYJ7M

vs UL Monroe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSkdu1jZ7Sk

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Any idea if he is going to work out at Memphis pro day or something on his own? Doesnt look that big and most reports are 5'10", 190lbs. and pundits guessing he will run in the 4.5 range. (his 2018 40 yard time was 4.68 as HS Senior). As a RS Freshman that only played 1 season in 2019 in a spread offense, he looks like a small versatile RB/receiver.

Personally, I would prefer Javonte Williams from North Carolina.

[Born2Steel]

Any idea if he is going to work out at Memphis pro day or something on his own? Doesnt look that big and most reports are 5'10", 190lbs. and pundits guessing he will run in the 4.5 range. (his 2018 40 yard time was 4.68 as HS Senior). As a RS Freshman that only played 1 season in 2019 in a spread offense, he looks like a small versatile RB/receiver.

Personally, I would prefer Javonte Williams from North Carolina.

I like Javonte Williams also. But....

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...nneth-gainwell
This says he's 5'11" and 195lbs but why split hairs. 231 attempts for 1,459 yards in his freshman year. (FRESHMAN YEAR) This is the RB Antonio Gibson backed up and only got his 30-something carries you had questions about last draft. Watch the links I provided. Watch the yards after contact. Doesn't PLAY like a slow, small RB/receiver.

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Somehow I knew he’d be a Memphis guy lol.

I haven't always been right but I've never lied to you.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I like Javonte Williams also. But....

https://www.espn.com/college-footbal...nneth-gainwell
This says he's 5'11" and 195lbs but why split hairs. 231 attempts for 1,459 yards in his freshman year. (FRESHMAN YEAR) This is the RB Antonio Gibson backed up and only got his 30-something carries you had questions about last draft. Watch the links I provided. Watch the yards after contact. Doesn't PLAY like a slow, small RB/receiver.

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I haven't always been right but I've never lied to you.

I looked at the Penn St and Ole Miss(4-8) games since they were likely the best competition of the links that you posted. He has good balance and runs strong for a smaller back, but I dont see a lot of running between the tackles that is impressive tape. He reminds me of the guys that Oregon used to have that were dual threat RB's like Kenjon Barner or LaMichael James.

I see the lateral cut ability, but not the acceleration or power that I would prefer in a RB. This is why I would like to see what kind of speed and quickness numbers he puts up, because its looking more like a complimentary or 3rd down RB than a starter to me.

Here is his college measureables heading to Memphis Football Recruiting - Kenneth Gainwell - Player Profiles - ESPN The 36" vertical is impressive, but the 4.68 40-time I hope was into the wind.

[Born2Steel]

I looked at the Penn St and Ole Miss(4-8) games since they were likely the best competition of the links that you posted. He has good balance and runs strong for a smaller back, but I dont see a lot of running between the tackles that is impressive tape. He reminds me of the guys that Oregon used to have that were dual threat RB's like Kenjon Barner or LaMichael James.

I see the lateral cut ability, but not the acceleration or power that I would prefer in a RB. This is why I would like to see what kind of speed and quickness numbers he puts up, because its looking more like a complimentary or 3rd down RB than a starter to me.

Here is his college measureables heading to Memphis Football Recruiting - Kenneth Gainwell - Player Profiles - ESPN The 36" vertical is impressive, but the 4.68 40-time I hope was into the wind.

You don't see acceleration and power? You really need to watch more tape.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

You don't see acceleration and power? You really need to watch more tape.

I did, but I didnt have my Memphis fan goggles on that make him look faster. Apparently neither did the person that wrote this:

Weaknesses

The biggest concern with Gainwell’s game has to be his long speed. He really doesn’t look like a true breakaway runner, and it shows with the lack of long runs. The good news is that’s not how he wins, and his other traits translate very well.
https://nflmocks.com/2020/07/21/2021...neth-gainwell/

[DesertSteel]

I haven't always been right but I've never lied to you.

Memphis has produced some good RBs lately. My mid major I follow is Marshall and I like their RB coming out -- Brenden Knox 6'0" 225.

[Born2Steel]

Memphis has produced some good RBs lately. My mid major I follow is Marshall and I like their RB coming out -- Brenden Knox 6'0" 225.

Re: Three aces, there are some good backs coming out in 2021

Any good looks on Brenden Knox, RB out of Marshall? He fits the Steelers from a size, power, receiving standpoint. Looks like he opted out 2020, but was the 2019 C-USA MVP. Anybody get to see this guy play?

I asked about him in a different thread. Post #31. Tell us about him.

[DesertSteel]

Re: Three aces, there are some good backs coming out in 2021

Any good looks on Brenden Knox, RB out of Marshall? He fits the Steelers from a size, power, receiving standpoint. Looks like he opted out 2020, but was the 2019 C-USA MVP. Anybody get to see this guy play?

I asked about him in a different thread. Post #31. Tell us about him.

No he played in 2020. Good year but 2019 was better. He has good vision and balance. He's a bigger back so it's tough to say where his 40 time will come in but if it's sub 4.6, I think he'll make the league.

[Born2Steel]

Memphis has produced some good RBs lately. My mid major I follow is Marshall and I like their RB coming out -- Brenden Knox 6'0" 225.

This deserved a bump, IMO. Patience through the hole then turn upfield and go. Protect the ball and fall forward. I was impressed with Knox early on. Thanks for bringing him back up.

[DesertSteel]

Somehow I knew he’d be a Memphis guy lol.

[Born2Steel]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGD1t6rdlLI

Film Nerds breakdown of Kenneth Gainwell.

[Born2Steel]

http://twsn.net/nfl-draft/dont-forget-kenneth-gainwell/

https://collegefootball.nbcsports.co...s-not-playing/

https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles...-micah-parsons

https://onwardstate.com/2020/06/09/m...fts-no-1-pick/

https://thepewterplank.com/2021/02/1...piece-offense/

https://thelistwire.usatoday.com/lis...lege-football/

Just a couple of short articles. Not videos but very telling reads from the national sports world view of Kenneth Gainwell after only 1 season of production.

[Born2Steel]

Just another highlight film. The skill level of this Freshman is off the charts. A true multi-threat weapon for any offense. I believe he's going to be one of the better NFL offensive rookies in 2021.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8Z7lPlcqS0

[Born2Steel]

This too is a great read up on Gainwell from ProFootballNetwork's Tony Pauline.

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/k...-running-back/

[Born2Steel]

https://steelersdepot.com/2021/03/me...with-steelers/

http://www.espn.com/college-sports/f...nneth-gainwell

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2021-...nneth-gainwell

https://nflmocks.com/2020/06/11/2021...next-great-rb/

[Born2Steel]

Kenneth Gainwell's pro day numbers...

5'11"-195lbs
35" vertical
121" Broad Jump
21 reps on the Bench Press
4.42-40 yard dash
4.46 Short Shuttle
7.26 3Cone

[DesertSteel]

Good speed and surprising strength for 195. I wonder what his squat is.

[Born2Steel]

Good speed and surprising strength for 195. I wonder what his squat is.

In the Cotton Bowl film above there's footage of him in pass pro where he lays Micah Parsons out on his back before leaking out to the flat. I don't know what he squats but I bet Parsons can ballpark it for you.


The Ole Miss game was Gainwell's first collegiate game.

[Born2Steel]

Eagles get another former Memphis Tiger. Gainwell joins kicker Jake Elliott and LB Genard Avery. NFC East now has 3 of 4 teams with ex-Tigers at RB. Gainwell with the Eagles, Pollard with the Cowboys, and Gibson with the Football Team. Maybe the Giants should trade with the Rams to get Henderson. Just kidding as always. Good luck to him.