Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Warren vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 12.3 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jaylen Warren is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jaylen Warren outscored Khalil Herbert by 6.5 PPG in 2025 with 8 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jaylen Warren is the clear pick. Khalil Herbert profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#18PPG LEADER

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 9

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Jaylen Warren

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

12.3 PPG5.8 PPG

16 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaylen Warren is producing at 56% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers) averaged 12.3 PPG over 16 games in 2025, outscoring Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals, 5.8 PPG) by 6.5 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 6.5-point weekly advantage for Jaylen Warren is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jaylen Warren is off Week 9 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

Jaylen Warren is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Khalil Herbert is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Warren (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?

•Jaylen Warren outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 111 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jaylen Warren scored 8 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.5 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jaylen Warren vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaylen Warren	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	5.8
Games Played	16	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	197	70
Rushing Yards	958	248
Rush Yds/Game	59.9	20.7
Rushing TDs	6	2
Receptions	40	12
Receiving Yards	333	85
Targets	45	0
Total TDs	8	2
Age	27	-
Experience	3 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jaylen Warren at 12.3 PPG, 6.5 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 Jaylen Warren or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jaylen Warren has the edge at 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 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 6.5 points per game.

When are Jaylen Warren and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren (PIT) has a bye in Week 9, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jaylen Warren or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren outscored Khalil Herbert by 6.5 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.