Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.4 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Dameon Pierce is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Dameon Pierce and Khalil Herbert are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

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

Dameon Pierce

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

6.4 PPG5.8 PPG

13 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: 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, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dameon Pierce vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Dameon Pierce finished the 2025 season at 6.4 PPG over 13 games with the Houston Texans, while Khalil Herbert clocked in at 5.8 across 12 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.6-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 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.

One scheduling note: Dameon Pierce 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

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: Dameon Pierce (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?

•Dameon Pierce outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Dameon Pierce played 13 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Dameon Pierce contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Dameon Pierce scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	5.8
Games Played	13	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	70
Rushing Yards	342	248
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	20.7
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	15	12
Receiving Yards	108	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	2
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

6.4 PPG for Dameon Pierce versus 5.8 for Khalil Herbert in 2025. The baseline favors Dameon Pierce, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dameon Pierce or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Dameon Pierce has the edge at 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) 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 Dameon Pierce or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce outscored Khalil Herbert by 0.6 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.