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Head to Head

Updated from live stats

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

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to George Pickens's 14.4 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 Pickens (14.4 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.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER
Derrick Henry
PPG
16.0
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,595
Rush TDs
16
Rec
15
Rec Yds
150
Bye
Week 13
WRDallas Cowboys#6
George Pickens
PPG
14.4
Games
17
Rec
93
Rec Yds
1,429
Rec TDs
9
Targets
137
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derrick Henry
George Pickens

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.4 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). George Pickens: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #6 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 2 (Strong Starter) WR in most league formats.

Derrick Henry vs George Pickens: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Derrick Henry (RB, Baltimore Ravens) against George Pickens (WR, Dallas Cowboys) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while George Pickens posted 14.4 PPG across 17 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 Pickens in Week 14. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. George Pickens (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

  • Derrick Henry outscored George Pickens by a projected 27 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • 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 Pickens caught 93 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • George Pickens is 7 years younger than Derrick Henry (25 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs George Pickens: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerrick HenryGeorge Pickens
PPG (Half-PPR)16.014.4
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272245
Rushing Yards1,5950
Rush Yds/Game93.80.0
Rushing TDs160
Receptions1593
Receiving Yards1501,429
Targets21137
Total TDs169
Age3225
Experience9 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 14

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored George Pickens by 1.6 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 14.4). 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 Derrick Henry or George Pickens in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to George Pickens's 14.4 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 Derrick Henry and George Pickens average in 2025?

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. George Pickens averaged 14.4 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 1.6 points per game.

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

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

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