Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Bucky Irving vs Derrick HenryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Bucky Irving's 12.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Derrick Henry is the better play on a neutral week. 16.0 PPG with 1,745 yards gives a reliable baseline. Bucky Irving at 12.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derrick Henry higher, but do not fade Bucky Irving entirely.

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

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RBTampa Bay Buccaneers#19

Bucky Irving

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

588

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

277

Bye

Week 10

RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 13

The Edge Chart

Bucky Irving

Derrick Henry

Head to Head

12.3 PPG16.0 PPG

10 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Bucky Irving: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #19 at the position). Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Bucky Irving is producing at 56% of elite pace and Derrick Henry at 73%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Bucky Irving vs Derrick Henry: The Full Breakdown

Deciding between Bucky Irving and Derrick Henry is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back put up 12.3 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens averaged 16.0 in 17. A 3.7-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.7 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. Bucky Irving ran for 588 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Bucky Irving sits Week 10 while Derrick Henry is off Week 13. 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

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Bucky Irving is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Bucky Irving (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Bucky Irving by a projected 63 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Bucky Irving's 10. 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.
•Bucky Irving is 9 years younger than Derrick Henry (23 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Bucky Irving vs Derrick Henry: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Bucky Irving	Derrick Henry
PPG (Half-PPR)	12.3	16.0
Games Played	10	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	123	272
Rushing Yards	588	1,595
Rush Yds/Game	58.8	93.8
Rushing TDs	1	16
Receptions	30	15
Receiving Yards	277	150
Targets	35	21
Total TDs	4	16
Age	23	32
Experience	1 yrs	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 13

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 12.3 for Bucky Irving in 2025. The baseline favors Derrick Henry, 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 Bucky Irving or Derrick Henry in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Bucky Irving's 12.3 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 Bucky Irving and Derrick Henry average in 2025?▾

Bucky Irving averaged 12.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.7 points per game.

When are Bucky Irving and Derrick Henry's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Bucky Irving (TB) has a bye in Week 10, and Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Bucky Irving or Derrick Henry a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Bucky Irving by 3.7 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.