Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Jaleel McLaughlinWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Derrick Henry outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 9.1 PPG in 2025 with 16 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derrick Henry is the clear pick. Jaleel McLaughlin profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Jaleel McLaughlin

Head to Head

16.0 PPG6.9 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Jaleel McLaughlin: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Jaleel McLaughlin at 31%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Jaleel McLaughlin: The Full Breakdown

Derrick Henry and Jaleel McLaughlin are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Baltimore Ravens running back averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025, a full 9.1 points per game ahead of Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 with the Denver Broncos. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 9.1 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; Jaleel McLaughlin posted 382 and 2. 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 13, and Jaleel McLaughlin rests in Week 14. 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.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jaleel McLaughlin 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. Jaleel McLaughlin (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 155 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Jaleel McLaughlin'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Jaleel McLaughlin: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Jaleel McLaughlin
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	6.9
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	104
Rushing Yards	1,595	382
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	25.5
Rushing TDs	16	2
Receptions	15	22
Receiving Yards	150	168
Targets	21	0
Total TDs	16	3
Age	32	-
Experience	9 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 14

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 6.9 for Jaleel McLaughlin in 2025. The baseline favors Derrick Henry, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Jaleel McLaughlin in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 9.1 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Jaleel McLaughlin's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derrick Henry or Jaleel McLaughlin a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 9.1 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.