Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Khalil Herbert vs Kyren WilliamsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 14.4 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Kyren Williams is the better fantasy play this season.

Kyren Williams is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 14.4 PPG and 1,533 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 Kyren Williams 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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RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

RBLos Angeles Rams#11PPG LEADER

Kyren Williams

PPG

14.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,252

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Khalil Herbert

Kyren Williams

Head to Head

5.8 PPG14.4 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Khalil Herbert is producing at 26% of elite pace and Kyren Williams at 65%. That ranking gap means Kyren Williams carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Khalil Herbert vs Kyren Williams: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Kyren Williams put up 14.4 fantasy points per game for the Los Angeles Rams in 2025, while Khalil Herbert managed 5.8 across 12 games with the Cincinnati Bengals. A 8.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 8.6-PPG gap gives Kyren Williams the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Khalil Herbert ran for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns; Kyren Williams posted 1252 and 10. 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: Khalil Herbert sits Week 12 while Kyren Williams is off Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Kyren Williams 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: Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Kyren Williams outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 146 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Kyren Williams played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Kyren Williams contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Kyren Williams scored 13 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Kyren Williams caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Khalil Herbert vs Kyren Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Khalil Herbert	Kyren Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	14.4
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	245
Rushing Yards	248	1,252
Rush Yds/Game	20.7	73.6
Rushing TDs	2	10
Receptions	12	36
Receiving Yards	85	281
Targets	0	50
Total TDs	2	13
Age	-	25
Experience	-	3 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 11

Summary

Kyren Williams outscored Khalil Herbert by 8.6 PPG in 2025 (14.4 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 Khalil Herbert or Kyren Williams in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Kyren Williams has the edge at 14.4 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 Khalil Herbert and Kyren Williams average in 2025?▾

Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.6 points per game.

When are Khalil Herbert and Kyren Williams's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12, and Kyren Williams (LAR) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Khalil Herbert or Kyren Williams a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Kyren Williams outscored Khalil Herbert by 8.6 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.