Derrick Henry vs Dylan Sampson: Who Should You Start?
Derrick Henry and Dylan Sampson are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Baltimore Ravens running back averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025, a full 11.3 points per game ahead of Dylan Sampson's 4.7 with the Cleveland Browns. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.
The per-game difference of 11.3 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. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Dylan Sampson posted 175 and undefined. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.
Derrick Henry has his bye in Week 14, and Dylan Sampson rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
