Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Josh JacobsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Josh Jacobs's 14.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. Derrick Henry edges Josh Jacobs by 1.4 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, Derrick Henry goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

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

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 13

RBGreen Bay Packers#8

Josh Jacobs

PPG

14.6

Games

Rush Yds

929

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

282

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Josh Jacobs

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.6 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Josh Jacobs: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #8 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Josh Jacobs at 66%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derrick Henry vs Josh Jacobs: The Full Breakdown

The gap between Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 1.4 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG with the Baltimore Ravens across 17 games, and Josh Jacobs posted 14.6 with the Green Bay Packers in 15.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Josh Jacobs posted 929 and 13. 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 Josh Jacobs rests in Week 11. 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

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. Josh Jacobs (age 28, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Josh Jacobs by a projected 24 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Josh Jacobs'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.
•Josh Jacobs caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Josh Jacobs is 4 years younger than Derrick Henry (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Josh Jacobs: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Josh Jacobs
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	14.6
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	219
Rushing Yards	1,595	929
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	61.9
Rushing TDs	16	13
Receptions	15	36
Receiving Yards	150	282
Targets	21	44
Total TDs	16	14
Age	32	28
Experience	9 yrs	6 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Derrick Henry holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.0 points per game. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Josh Jacobs in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Josh Jacobs's 14.6 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 Josh Jacobs average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Josh Jacobs averaged 14.6 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 1.4 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Josh Jacobs (GB) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Josh Jacobs a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Josh Jacobs by 1.4 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.