Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs DK MetcalfWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to DK Metcalf's 10.5 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. DK Metcalf (10.5 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.

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

WRPittsburgh Steelers#25

DK Metcalf

PPG

10.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

850

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

DK Metcalf

Head to Head

16.0 PPG10.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 9

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). DK Metcalf: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR (ranked #25 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) WR in most league formats.

Derrick Henry vs DK Metcalf: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Derrick Henry (RB, Baltimore Ravens) against DK Metcalf (WR, Pittsburgh Steelers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while DK Metcalf posted 10.5 PPG across 15 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.

Derrick Henry has his bye in Week 13, DK Metcalf in Week 9. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. DK Metcalf is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. DK Metcalf (age 28) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored DK Metcalf by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to DK Metcalf's 15. 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.
•DK Metcalf caught 59 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•DK Metcalf is 4 years younger than Derrick Henry (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs DK Metcalf: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	DK Metcalf
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	10.5
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	158
Rushing Yards	1,595	12
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	0.8
Rushing TDs	16	1
Receptions	15	59
Receiving Yards	150	850
Targets	21	99
Total TDs	16	7
Age	32	28
Experience	9 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 9

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derrick Henry at 16.0 PPG, 5.5 points per game above DK Metcalf's 10.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or DK Metcalf in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to DK Metcalf's 10.5 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 DK Metcalf average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. DK Metcalf averaged 10.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and DK Metcalf's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and DK Metcalf (PIT) has a bye in Week 9. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.