Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 9.0 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Austin Ekeler is the better fantasy play this season.

Austin Ekeler is the better play on a neutral week. 9.0 PPG with 785 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 Austin Ekeler 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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RBWashington Commanders#99PPG LEADER

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Austin Ekeler

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

9.0 PPG5.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Austin Ekeler and Khalil Herbert for your lineup, you are not alone. Austin Ekeler finished the 2025 season at 9.0 PPG for the Washington Commanders (14 games), and Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 for the Cincinnati Bengals (12 games).

That 3.2-point weekly advantage for Austin Ekeler 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.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Austin Ekeler is off Week 14 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

Austin Ekeler is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Khalil Herbert is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Austin Ekeler outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 54 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Austin Ekeler played 14 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Austin Ekeler contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Austin Ekeler scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	5.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	70
Rushing Yards	425	248
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	20.7
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	45	12
Receiving Yards	360	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	2
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Austin Ekeler at 9.0 PPG, 3.2 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 Austin Ekeler or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Austin Ekeler has the edge at 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 3.2 points per game.

When are Austin Ekeler and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler (WAS) has a bye in Week 14, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Austin Ekeler or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Austin Ekeler outscored Khalil Herbert by 3.2 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.