Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Devin NealWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Devin Neal's 5.7 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. Devin Neal (5.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Derrick Henry as the starter and Devin Neal as depth.

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

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RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 13

RBNew Orleans Saints#57

Devin Neal

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

206

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

104

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Devin Neal

Head to Head

16.0 PPG5.7 PPG

17 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Devin Neal: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #57 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Devin Neal at 26%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Devin Neal: 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 Devin Neal (New Orleans Saints, 5.7 PPG) by 10.3 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 10.3-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. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Devin Neal posted 206 and 2. 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: Derrick Henry is off Week 13 and Devin Neal Week 8. 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. Devin Neal is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Devin Neal (age 22) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Devin Neal by a projected 175 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Devin Neal's 9. 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.
•Devin Neal is 10 years younger than Derrick Henry (22 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Devin Neal: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Devin Neal
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	5.7
Games Played	17	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	51
Rushing Yards	1,595	206
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	22.9
Rushing TDs	16	2
Receptions	15	17
Receiving Yards	150	104
Targets	21	19
Total TDs	16	2
Age	32	22
Experience	9 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 8

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored Devin Neal by 10.3 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 5.7). 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 Derrick Henry or Devin Neal in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Devin Neal's 5.7 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 Derrick Henry and Devin Neal average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Devin Neal averaged 5.7 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 10.3 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Devin Neal's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Devin Neal (NO) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Devin Neal a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Devin Neal by 10.3 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.