Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Josh Jacobs vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.6 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Josh Jacobs is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Josh Jacobs outscored Khalil Herbert by 8.8 PPG in 2025 with 14 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Josh Jacobs 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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RBGreen Bay Packers#8PPG LEADER

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

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

Josh Jacobs

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

14.6 PPG5.8 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Josh Jacobs is producing at 66% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. That ranking gap means Josh Jacobs carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Josh Jacobs vs Khalil Herbert: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Khalil Herbert (Cincinnati Bengals, 5.8 PPG) by 8.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 8.8 points favors Josh Jacobs, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Josh Jacobs ran for 929 yards and 13 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: Josh Jacobs 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

Josh Jacobs 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: Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Josh Jacobs outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 150 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Josh Jacobs played 15 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Josh Jacobs contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Josh Jacobs scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Josh Jacobs vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Josh Jacobs	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	14.6	5.8
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	219	70
Rushing Yards	929	248
Rush Yds/Game	61.9	20.7
Rushing TDs	13	2
Receptions	36	12
Receiving Yards	282	85
Targets	44	0
Total TDs	14	2
Age	28	-
Experience	6 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 12

Summary

14.6 PPG for Josh Jacobs versus 5.8 for Khalil Herbert in 2025. The baseline favors Josh Jacobs, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Josh Jacobs or Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Josh Jacobs has the edge at 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs and Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 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 8.8 points per game.

When are Josh Jacobs and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs (GB) 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 Josh Jacobs or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Josh Jacobs outscored Khalil Herbert by 8.8 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.