Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Khalil Herbert vs Ty JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 5.8 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Khalil Herbert is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Khalil Herbert and Ty Johnson are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.6-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

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Khalil Herbert

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

5.8 PPG5.2 PPG

12 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ty Johnson: 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 Ty Johnson at 24%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Khalil Herbert vs Ty Johnson: 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 Ty Johnson clocked in at 5.2 across 17 appearances for the Buffalo Bills. A 0.6-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; Ty Johnson posted 200 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Both share a Week 12 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

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. Ty Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Khalil Herbert outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 10 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ty Johnson played 17 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Ty Johnson contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Ty Johnson scored 5 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.3 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Both players share a Week 12 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Khalil Herbert vs Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Khalil Herbert	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	5.2
Games Played	12	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	88
Rushing Yards	248	200
Rush Yds/Game	20.7	11.8
Rushing TDs	2	3
Receptions	12	24
Receiving Yards	85	263
Targets	0	33
Total TDs	2	5
Age	-	28
Experience	-	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 12

Summary

5.8 PPG for Khalil Herbert versus 5.2 for Ty Johnson in 2025. The baseline favors Khalil Herbert, 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 Khalil Herbert or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Khalil Herbert has the edge at 5.8 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Ty Johnson average in 2025?▾

Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.6 points per game.

Do Khalil Herbert and Ty Johnson share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Khalil Herbert and Ty Johnson share a Week 12 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Khalil Herbert or Ty Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert outscored Ty Johnson by 0.6 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.