Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Emanuel Wilson vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Khalil Herbert edges Emanuel Wilson by 0.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Khalil Herbert goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

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RBGreen Bay Packers#60

Emanuel Wilson

PPG

5.4

Games

Rush Yds

496

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 11

RBCincinnati Bengals#99PPG LEADER

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Emanuel Wilson

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

5.4 PPG5.8 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Emanuel Wilson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #60 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Emanuel Wilson is producing at 25% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Emanuel Wilson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Emanuel Wilson vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

Emanuel Wilson (5.4 PPG) and Khalil Herbert (5.8 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Emanuel Wilson played 16 games for the Green Bay Packers; Khalil Herbert suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 0.4-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Emanuel Wilson ran for 496 yards and 3 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Emanuel Wilson sits Week 11 while Khalil Herbert is off Week 12. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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: Emanuel Wilson (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?

•Khalil Herbert outscored Emanuel Wilson by a projected 7 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Emanuel Wilson played 16 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Emanuel Wilson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Emanuel Wilson scored 3 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Emanuel Wilson vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Emanuel Wilson	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.4	5.8
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	86	70
Rushing Yards	496	248
Rush Yds/Game	31.0	20.7
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	15	12
Receiving Yards	99	85
Targets	17	0
Total TDs	3	2
Age	27	-
Experience	2 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Khalil Herbert holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 5.8 points per game. Emanuel Wilson averaged 5.4 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 Emanuel Wilson or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Herbert has the edge at 5.8 PPG compared to Emanuel Wilson's 5.4 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 Emanuel Wilson and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Emanuel Wilson averaged 5.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 0.4 points per game.

When are Emanuel Wilson and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Emanuel Wilson (GB) has a bye in Week 11, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Emanuel Wilson or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert outscored Emanuel Wilson by 0.4 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.