Kenny Gainwell

RB · Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Minnesota Vikings · 43 graded snaps

Replacement

Gainwell provided steady value as a kick returner and receiver, but costly lapses in blitz pickup dragged his overall grade down to replacement level.

Pass block5216Receiving6413Special teams7211Rushing603

The full breakdown

Gainwell made his biggest positive impact on special teams, consistently generating field position with five quality kickoff returns, highlighted by a 40-yard return in Q1 (10:20). He also added value in the passing game, smoothly executing a run fake and leaking into the flat for a 13-yard gain in Q4 (3:05). However, his pass protection was a major liability (52 facet grade), as he failed to scan back on a sack in Q2 (0:34) and missed a blitz pickup that led to a quarterback hit in Q3 (12:34). Despite a solid A-gap pickup late in Q4 (0:28), those protection busts capped his day at a 62.8 grade.

Strengths

Kickoff return vision
Flat receiving and run-fake execution

Weaknesses

Blitz recognition and scanning
Pass protection consistency

Plays that moved the grade

-1.5Q3 12:34, 3rd & 9Failed to cross the formation in pass protection to pick up a blitzing linebacker, yielding a free quarterback hit.
+1Q1 10:20Found the seam and broke a tackle to deliver a 40-yard kickoff return out to the TB 40.
-1Q2 00:34, 1st & 10Stepped up left in protection and failed to scan back right to pick up a blitzing linebacker on a 5-yard sack.

Every graded snap · 10 wins or losses, 33 routine

+1Q1 10:20 · Special teamsShows good vision to find the seam, breaks a tackle attempt, and rips off a 40-yard return.
-0.5Q1 06:44 · Special teamsGets sealed inside by #45 Bredeson, losing outside leverage.
+0.5Q2 04:11 · Special teamsFields the kick at the goal line and finds a crease for a solid 33-yard return before the penalty.
-1Q2 00:34 · 1 & 10 · Pass blockSteps up to the left side in protection and fails to scan back to the right to pick up the blitzing linebacker.
+0.5Q3 15:00 · Special teamsFields the kick cleanly at the 3-yard line, follows his blocks to the left side, and gets a solid 27-yard return.
-1.5Q3 12:34 · 3 & 9 · Pass blockFails to cross the formation in time to pick up the blitzing linebacker, resulting in a free hit on the quarterback.
+0.5Q4 03:10 · Special teamsCatches the kickoff at the 6 and returns it up the right sideline for 23 yards, showing good vision.
+1

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Kenny Gainwell's season grades →