Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jonathan Taylor vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 20.0 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Jonathan Taylor outscored Khalil Herbert by 14.2 PPG in 2025 with 20 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Jonathan Taylor 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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RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 13

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Jonathan Taylor

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

20.0 PPG5.8 PPG

17 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jonathan Taylor is producing at 91% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jonathan Taylor vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals, 5.8 PPG) by 14.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 14.2-point weekly advantage for Jonathan Taylor 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jonathan Taylor is off Week 13 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

Jonathan Taylor 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: Jonathan Taylor (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?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 241 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Jonathan Taylor vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jonathan Taylor	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	20.0	5.8
Games Played	17	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	340	70
Rushing Yards	1,585	248
Rush Yds/Game	93.2	20.7
Rushing TDs	18	2
Receptions	46	12
Receiving Yards	378	85
Targets	55	0
Total TDs	20	2
Age	27	-
Experience	5 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 12

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Jonathan Taylor at 20.0 PPG, 14.2 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 Jonathan Taylor or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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 Jonathan Taylor and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 14.2 points per game.

When are Jonathan Taylor and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 13, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jonathan Taylor or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Khalil Herbert by 14.2 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.