Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.7 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Alvin Kamara is the better fantasy play this season.

Alvin Kamara has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 1.9-PPG advantage is real (7.7 to 5.8), and Alvin Kamara's 1 touchdowns show scoring upside. Khalil Herbert is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41PPG LEADER

Alvin Kamara

PPG

7.7

Games

Rush Yds

471

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

186

Bye

Week 8

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Alvin Kamara

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

7.7 PPG5.8 PPG

11 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Alvin Kamara carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) finished the 2025 season averaging 7.7 fantasy points per game in 11 games. Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals) came in at 5.8 PPG over 12 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Alvin Kamara carries a 1.9-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 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.

One scheduling note: Alvin Kamara is off Week 8 and Khalil Herbert Week 12. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

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: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 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?

•Alvin Kamara outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Khalil Herbert played 12 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. That durability gap means Khalil Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Khalil Herbert scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Alvin Kamara caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alvin Kamara vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alvin Kamara	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.7	5.8
Games Played	11	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	85	70
Rushing Yards	471	248
Rush Yds/Game	42.8	20.7
Rushing TDs	1	2
Receptions	33	12
Receiving Yards	186	85
Targets	39	0
Total TDs	1	2
Age	30	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Alvin Kamara holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 7.7 points per game. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Alvin Kamara or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Alvin Kamara has the edge at 7.7 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 Alvin Kamara and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 8, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Alvin Kamara outscored Khalil Herbert by 1.9 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.