Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Christian McCaffrey vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 21.5 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Christian McCaffrey is the better fantasy play this season.

Christian McCaffrey is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 21.5 PPG and 2,126 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Khalil Herbert (5.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Christian McCaffrey as the starter and Khalil Herbert as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBSan Francisco 49ers#1PPG LEADER

Christian McCaffrey

PPG

21.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,202

Rush TDs

Rec

102

Rec Yds

924

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

Christian McCaffrey

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

21.5 PPG5.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Christian McCaffrey: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #1 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Christian McCaffrey is producing at 98% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Christian McCaffrey carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Christian McCaffrey vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers) averaged 21.5 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals, 5.8 PPG) by 15.7 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 15.7-PPG gap gives Christian McCaffrey the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Christian McCaffrey is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 102 targets into 924 yards, while Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Christian McCaffrey carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Christian McCaffrey 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

If you can acquire Christian McCaffrey at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Khalil Herbert is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Christian McCaffrey (age 29, 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?

•Christian McCaffrey outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 267 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Christian McCaffrey played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Christian McCaffrey contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Christian McCaffrey scored 17 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.0 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Christian McCaffrey caught 102 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Christian McCaffrey vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Christian McCaffrey	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	21.5	5.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	366	70
Rushing Yards	1,202	248
Rush Yds/Game	70.7	20.7
Rushing TDs	10	2
Receptions	102	12
Receiving Yards	924	85
Targets	129	0
Total TDs	17	2
Age	29	-
Experience	8 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 12

Summary

Christian McCaffrey outscored Khalil Herbert by 15.7 PPG in 2025 (21.5 to 5.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Christian McCaffrey or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Christian McCaffrey has the edge at 21.5 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 Christian McCaffrey and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Christian McCaffrey averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 15.7 points per game.

When are Christian McCaffrey and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey (SF) 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 Christian McCaffrey or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Christian McCaffrey outscored Khalil Herbert by 15.7 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.