Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Derrick HenryWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Derrick Henry is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.0 PPG and 1,745 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Dameon Pierce (6.4 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Derrick Henry as the starter and Dameon Pierce as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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RBHouston Texans#99

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

Bye

Week 14

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

Dameon Pierce

Derrick Henry

Head to Head

6.4 PPG16.0 PPG

13 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 13

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% 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.

Dameon Pierce vs Derrick Henry: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans, 6.4 PPG) by 9.6 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 9.6-PPG gap gives Derrick Henry the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 yards and 2 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.

One scheduling note: Dameon Pierce is off Week 14 and Derrick Henry Week 13. 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

If you can acquire Derrick Henry at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Dameon Pierce is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dameon Pierce (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Dameon Pierce by a projected 163 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce's 13. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dameon Pierce vs Derrick Henry: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Derrick Henry
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	16.0
Games Played	13	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	272
Rushing Yards	342	1,595
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	93.8
Rushing TDs	2	16
Receptions	15	15
Receiving Yards	108	150
Targets	0	21
Total TDs	2	16
Age	-	32
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 13

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored Dameon Pierce by 9.6 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 6.4). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dameon Pierce or Derrick Henry in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Derrick Henry average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 9.6 points per game.

When are Dameon Pierce and Derrick Henry's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dameon Pierce (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Dameon Pierce or Derrick Henry a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Dameon Pierce by 9.6 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.