Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Devin Neal vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Khalil Herbert and Devin Neal are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.1-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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RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

RBCincinnati Bengals#99PPG LEADER

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Devin Neal

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

5.7 PPG5.8 PPG

9 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 8Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Devin Neal is producing at 26% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Devin Neal carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Devin Neal vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Devin Neal finished the 2025 season at 5.7 PPG over 9 games with the New Orleans Saints, while Khalil Herbert clocked in at 5.8 across 12 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 0.1-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. Devin Neal ran for 206 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: Devin Neal 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: Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Khalil Herbert outscored Devin Neal by a projected 2 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Khalil Herbert played 12 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. That durability gap means Khalil Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Devin Neal 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

Devin Neal vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Devin Neal	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.7	5.8
Games Played	9	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	51	70
Rushing Yards	206	248
Rush Yds/Game	22.9	20.7
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	17	12
Receiving Yards	104	85
Targets	19	0
Total TDs	2	2
Age	22	-
Bye Week	Week 8	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Khalil Herbert at 5.8 PPG, 0.1 points per game above Devin Neal's 5.7. 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 Devin Neal or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Herbert has the edge at 5.8 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Devin Neal and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Devin Neal averaged 5.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 9 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.1 points per game.

When are Devin Neal and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Devin Neal (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 Devin Neal or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert outscored Devin Neal by 0.1 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.