Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 8.7 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Aaron Jones is the better fantasy play this season.

Aaron Jones is the better play on a neutral week. 8.7 PPG with 747 yards gives a reliable baseline. Khalil Herbert at 5.8 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Aaron Jones higher, but do not fade Khalil Herbert entirely.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBMinnesota Vikings#34PPG LEADER

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

8.7 PPG5.8 PPG

12 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Aaron Jones and Khalil Herbert for your lineup, you are not alone. Aaron Jones finished the 2025 season at 8.7 PPG for the Minnesota Vikings (12 games), and Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 for the Cincinnati Bengals (12 games).

That 2.9-point weekly advantage for Aaron Jones is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Khalil Herbert posted 248 and 2. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Aaron Jones sits Week 6 while Khalil Herbert is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Aaron Jones outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Aaron Jones scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Aaron Jones vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Aaron Jones	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	8.7	5.8
Games Played	12	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	70
Rushing Yards	548	248
Rush Yds/Game	45.7	20.7
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	28	12
Receiving Yards	199	85
Targets	41	0
Total TDs	3	2
Age	31	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Aaron Jones at 8.7 PPG, 2.9 points per game above Khalil Herbert's 5.8. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Aaron Jones or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Aaron Jones has the edge at 8.7 PPG compared to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 PPG. However, the best start depends on weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status. DraftCall's app provides real-time AI-powered verdicts that factor in all of these variables.

How many fantasy points did Aaron Jones and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones (MIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Aaron Jones or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Aaron Jones outscored Khalil Herbert by 2.9 PPG in 2025, which gives him the edge heading into 2026. For a week-by-week verdict, DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality and recent trends in real time.