Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs George KittleWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to George Kittle's 12.1 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. George Kittle (12.1 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.

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

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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

TESan Francisco 49ers#3

George Kittle

PPG

12.1

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

628

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

George Kittle

Head to Head

16.0 PPG12.1 PPG

17 GP11 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). George Kittle: Tier 1 (Elite) TE (ranked #3 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 1 (Elite) TE in most league formats.

Derrick Henry vs George Kittle: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Derrick Henry (RB, Baltimore Ravens) against George Kittle (TE, San Francisco 49ers) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while George Kittle posted 12.1 PPG across 11 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, George Kittle in Week 8. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Derrick Henry at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. George Kittle 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. George Kittle (age 32) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored George Kittle by a projected 66 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to George Kittle's 11. 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.
•George Kittle caught 57 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs George Kittle: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	George Kittle
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	12.1
Games Played	17	11
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	133
Rushing Yards	1,595	-3
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	-0.3
Rushing TDs	16	0
Receptions	15	57
Receiving Yards	150	628
Targets	21	69
Total TDs	16	7
Age	32	32
Experience	9 yrs	8 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 8

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored George Kittle by 3.9 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 12.1). 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 George Kittle in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to George Kittle's 12.1 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 George Kittle average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. George Kittle averaged 12.1 PPG over 11 games. That is a difference of 3.9 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and George Kittle's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and George Kittle (SF) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.