Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

James Conner vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

James Conner is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 11.0 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

James Conner is the better fantasy play this season.

James Conner is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 11.0 PPG and 970 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Khalil Herbert (5.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster James Conner as the starter and Khalil Herbert as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBArizona Cardinals#99PPG LEADER

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

11.0 PPG5.8 PPG

14 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: 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, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

James Conner vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals) came in at 5.8 PPG over 12 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

James Conner carries a 5.2-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 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: James Conner is off Week 11 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

If you can acquire James Conner at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Khalil Herbert is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (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?

•James Conner outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 88 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•James Conner played 14 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means James Conner contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•James Conner scored 6 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.4 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

James Conner vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	5.8
Games Played	14	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	70
Rushing Yards	752	248
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	20.7
Rushing TDs	5	2
Receptions	28	12
Receiving Yards	218	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	2
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, James Conner holds the PPG edge with serviceable output at 11.0 points per game. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 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 James Conner or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Conner has the edge at 11.0 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 James Conner and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 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 5.2 points per game.

When are James Conner and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) 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 James Conner or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

James Conner outscored Khalil Herbert by 5.2 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.