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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Amari Cooper vs Derrick HenryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Amari Cooper's 11.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Derrick Henry (16.0 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Amari Cooper (11.2 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRBuffalo Bills#99
Amari Cooper
PPG
11.2
Games
16
Rec
65
Rec Yds
782
Rec TDs
4
Targets
95
Bye
Week 12
RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER
Derrick Henry
PPG
16.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,595
Rush TDs
16
Rec
15
Rec Yds
150
Bye
Week 13

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Amari Cooper
Derrick Henry

Head to Head

11.2 PPG16.0 PPG
16 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Amari Cooper: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 5 (Deep League) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB in most league formats.

Amari Cooper vs Derrick Henry: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Amari Cooper (WR, Buffalo Bills) against Derrick Henry (RB, Baltimore Ravens) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games, while Derrick Henry posted 16.0 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Amari Cooper has his bye in Week 12, Derrick Henry in Week 13. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Derrick Henry at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Amari Cooper is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Amari Cooper (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value. Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Derrick Henry outscored Amari Cooper by a projected 82 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Amari Cooper's 16. That durability gap means Derrick Henry contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
  • Derrick Henry scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Amari Cooper saw 95 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the wide receiver position.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Amari Cooper vs Derrick Henry: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatAmari CooperDerrick Henry
PPG (Half-PPR)11.216.0
Games Played1617
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)179272
Rushing Yards01,595
Rush Yds/Game0.093.8
Rushing TDs016
Receptions6515
Receiving Yards782150
Targets9521
Total TDs416
Age-32
Experience-9 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 12Week 13

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Derrick Henry holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.0 points per game. Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 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 Amari Cooper or Derrick Henry in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Amari Cooper's 11.2 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 Amari Cooper and Derrick Henry average in 2025?

Amari Cooper averaged 11.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.8 points per game.

When are Amari Cooper and Derrick Henry's bye weeks in 2026?

Amari Cooper (BUF) has a bye in Week 12, and Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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