Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Khalil Herbert vs Tyjae SpearsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Tyjae Spears is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 6.9 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Tyjae Spears is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Tyjae Spears edges Khalil Herbert by 1.1 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Tyjae Spears goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

RBTennessee Titans#48PPG LEADER

Tyjae Spears

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

283

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

264

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Khalil Herbert

Tyjae Spears

Head to Head

5.8 PPG6.9 PPG

12 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Tyjae Spears: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Khalil Herbert is producing at 26% of elite pace and Tyjae Spears at 31%. That ranking gap means Tyjae Spears carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Khalil Herbert vs Tyjae Spears: 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 Tyjae Spears clocked in at 6.9 across 13 appearances for the Tennessee Titans. 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.

Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Khalil Herbert profiles as a more traditional rusher with 248 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Khalil Herbert is off Week 12 and Tyjae Spears Week 9. 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. Tyjae Spears (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Tyjae Spears outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 19 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Tyjae Spears played 13 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. That durability gap means Tyjae Spears 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.
•Tyjae Spears caught 45 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 Tyjae Spears: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Khalil Herbert	Tyjae Spears
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.8	6.9
Games Played	12	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	70	90
Rushing Yards	248	283
Rush Yds/Game	20.7	21.8
Rushing TDs	2	2
Receptions	12	45
Receiving Yards	85	264
Targets	0	50
Total TDs	2	2
Age	-	24
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 12	Week 9

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Tyjae Spears holds the PPG edge with low-end output at 6.9 points per game. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Khalil Herbert or Tyjae Spears in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Tyjae Spears has the edge at 6.9 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 Tyjae Spears average in 2025?▾

Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 1.1 points per game.

When are Khalil Herbert and Tyjae Spears's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12, and Tyjae Spears (TEN) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Khalil Herbert or Tyjae Spears a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Tyjae Spears outscored Khalil Herbert 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.