DraftCall
DraftCallFantasy Football

Head to Head

Updated from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Javonte WilliamsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Javonte Williams's 14.1 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Derrick Henry is the better play on a neutral week. 16.0 PPG with 1,745 yards gives a reliable baseline. Javonte Williams at 14.1 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derrick Henry higher, but do not fade Javonte Williams entirely.

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

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Derrick Henry and Javonte Williams in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App
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
RBDallas Cowboys#12
Javonte Williams
PPG
14.1
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,201
Rush TDs
11
Rec
35
Rec Yds
137
Bye
Week 14

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derrick Henry
Javonte Williams

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.1 PPG
17 GP16 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Javonte Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #12 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Javonte Williams at 64%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Javonte Williams: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derrick Henry and Javonte Williams for your lineup, you are not alone. Derrick Henry finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG for the Baltimore Ravens (17 games), and Javonte Williams averaged 14.1 for the Dallas Cowboys (16 games).

That 1.9-point weekly advantage for Derrick Henry is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Javonte Williams posted 1201 and 11. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Derrick Henry sits Week 13 while Javonte Williams is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

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. Javonte Williams (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Derrick Henry outscored Javonte Williams by a projected 32 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Javonte Williams's 16. 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.
  • Javonte Williams caught 35 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • Javonte Williams is 6 years younger than Derrick Henry (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Javonte Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerrick HenryJavonte Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)16.014.1
Games Played1716
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272226
Rushing Yards1,5951,201
Rush Yds/Game93.875.1
Rushing TDs1611
Receptions1535
Receiving Yards150137
Targets2151
Total TDs1613
Age3226
Experience9 yrs4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derrick Henry at 16.0 PPG, 1.9 points per game above Javonte Williams's 14.1. 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.

DraftCall app on iPhone

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Derrick Henry vs Javonte Williams

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Derrick Henry vs Javonte Williams

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Javonte Williams in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Javonte Williams's 14.1 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 Javonte Williams average in 2025?

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Javonte Williams averaged 14.1 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 1.9 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Javonte Williams's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Derrick Henry or Javonte Williams a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Derrick Henry outscored Javonte Williams by 1.9 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.

Fantasy Managers Also Compared

Similar matchups other managers are researching right now.