Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Khalil Herbert vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Khalil Herbert and Raheim Sanders are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 1.1-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBCincinnati Bengals#99PPG LEADER

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

RBCleveland Browns#99

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Khalil Herbert

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

5.8 PPG4.7 PPG

12 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Raheim Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Khalil Herbert is producing at 26% of elite pace and Raheim Sanders at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Khalil Herbert vs Raheim Sanders: The Full Breakdown

This is a genuine coin flip on paper. Khalil Herbert finished the 2025 season at 5.8 PPG over 12 games with the Cincinnati Bengals, while Raheim Sanders clocked in at 4.7 across 4 appearances for the Cleveland Browns. A 1.1-point gap means any given week could go either way.

With a margin this thin, season averages are not the deciding factor. Weekly variables like opponent defense, game script, and injury status carry more weight than a fraction of a PPG. The right start in Week 6 might be the wrong start in Week 14.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Khalil Herbert ran for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns; Raheim Sanders posted 92 and 1. 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: Khalil Herbert is off Week 12 and Raheim Sanders Week 10. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Khalil Herbert outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Khalil Herbert played 12 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. That durability gap means Khalil Herbert contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Khalil Herbert scored 2 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Khalil Herbert vs Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Khalil Herbert	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	4.7
Games Played	12	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	19
Rushing Yards	248	92
Rush Yds/Game	20.7	23.0
Rushing TDs	2	1
Receptions	12	3
Receiving Yards	85	21
Targets	0	4
Total TDs	2	1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Khalil Herbert at 5.8 PPG, 1.1 points per game above Raheim Sanders's 4.7. 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 Khalil Herbert or Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Herbert has the edge at 5.8 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Khalil Herbert and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12, and Raheim Sanders (CLE) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Khalil Herbert or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert outscored Raheim Sanders by 1.1 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.