Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ezekiel Elliott vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 7.2 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Ezekiel Elliott is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Ezekiel Elliott and Khalil Herbert are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.4-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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RBDallas Cowboys#99PPG LEADER

Ezekiel Elliott

PPG

7.2

Games

Rush Yds

452

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

128

Bye

Week 7

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Ezekiel Elliott

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

7.2 PPG5.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Ezekiel Elliott: 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, Ezekiel Elliott is producing at 33% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Ezekiel Elliott vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Ezekiel Elliott finished the 2025 season at 7.2 PPG over 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys, while Khalil Herbert clocked in at 5.8 across 12 appearances for the Cincinnati Bengals. A 1.4-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. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 452 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.

One scheduling note: Ezekiel Elliott is off Week 7 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: Ezekiel Elliott (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?

•Ezekiel Elliott outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ezekiel Elliott played 14 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Ezekiel Elliott contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ezekiel Elliott 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

Ezekiel Elliott vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ezekiel Elliott	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.2	5.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	101	70
Rushing Yards	452	248
Rush Yds/Game	32.3	20.7
Rushing TDs	3	2
Receptions	18	12
Receiving Yards	128	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	2
Bye Week	Week 7	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Ezekiel Elliott at 7.2 PPG, 1.4 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 Ezekiel Elliott or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Ezekiel Elliott has the edge at 7.2 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 Ezekiel Elliott and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Ezekiel Elliott averaged 7.2 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 1.4 points per game.

When are Ezekiel Elliott and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott (DAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Ezekiel Elliott or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Ezekiel Elliott outscored Khalil Herbert by 1.4 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.