Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Khalil Herbert vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.5 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Samaje Perine is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Samaje Perine and Khalil Herbert are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.7-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#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

RBKansas City Chiefs#99PPG LEADER

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Khalil Herbert

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

5.8 PPG6.5 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Khalil Herbert vs Samaje Perine: The Full Breakdown

Khalil Herbert (5.8 PPG) and Samaje Perine (6.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Khalil Herbert played 12 games for the Cincinnati Bengals; Samaje Perine suited up 15 times for the Kansas City Chiefs.

A 0.7-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Khalil Herbert ran for 248 yards and 2 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine is off Week 6. 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

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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Samaje Perine outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 12 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Samaje Perine played 15 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Samaje Perine contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Samaje Perine scored 3 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Khalil Herbert	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	6.5
Games Played	12	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	98
Rushing Yards	248	285
Rush Yds/Game	20.7	19.0
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	12	24
Receiving Yards	85	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	3
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Samaje Perine at 6.5 PPG, 0.7 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 Khalil Herbert or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Samaje Perine has the edge at 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.7 points per game.

When are Khalil Herbert and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Khalil Herbert or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Samaje Perine outscored Khalil Herbert by 0.7 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.