Alvin Kamara vs Derrick Henry: Who Should You Start?
Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Baltimore Ravens running back averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025, a full 8.3 points per game ahead of Alvin Kamara's 7.7 with the New Orleans Saints. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
The per-game difference of 8.3 points favors Derrick Henry, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.
Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 touchdowns; Derrick Henry posted 1595 and 16. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Alvin Kamara has his bye in Week 12, and Derrick Henry rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
