Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaleel McLaughlin is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Jaleel McLaughlin edges Khalil Herbert by 1.1 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, Jaleel McLaughlin 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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RBDenver Broncos#99PPG LEADER

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

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

Jaleel McLaughlin

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

6.9 PPG5.8 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: 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, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 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. Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games for the Denver Broncos; Khalil Herbert suited up 12 times for the Cincinnati Bengals.

A 1.1-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. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Jaleel McLaughlin sits Week 14 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: Jaleel McLaughlin (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?

•Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaleel McLaughlin played 15 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Jaleel McLaughlin contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaleel McLaughlin 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

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	5.8
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	70
Rushing Yards	382	248
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	20.7
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	22	12
Receiving Yards	168	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	2
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Khalil Herbert by 1.1 PPG in 2025 (6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaleel McLaughlin has the edge at 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Jaleel McLaughlin and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) 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 Jaleel McLaughlin or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin outscored Khalil Herbert by 1.1 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.