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Head to Head

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

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Kyren Williams's 14.4 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. Kyren Williams at 14.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derrick Henry higher, but do not fade Kyren Williams entirely.

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
RBLos Angeles Rams#11
Kyren Williams
PPG
14.4
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,252
Rush TDs
10
Rec
36
Rec Yds
281
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Derrick Henry
Kyren Williams

Head to Head

16.0 PPG14.4 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Kyren Williams: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #11 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Kyren Williams at 65%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Kyren Williams: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derrick Henry and Kyren 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 Kyren Williams averaged 14.4 for the Los Angeles Rams (17 games).

That 1.6-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; Kyren Williams posted 1252 and 10. 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 Kyren Williams is off Week 11. 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. Kyren Williams (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

  • Derrick Henry outscored Kyren Williams 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.
  • Kyren Williams caught 36 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
  • Kyren Williams is 7 years younger than Derrick Henry (25 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Kyren Williams: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatDerrick HenryKyren Williams
PPG (Half-PPR)16.014.4
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272245
Rushing Yards1,5951,252
Rush Yds/Game93.873.6
Rushing TDs1610
Receptions1536
Receiving Yards150281
Targets2150
Total TDs1613
Age3225
Experience9 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 13Week 11

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derrick Henry at 16.0 PPG, 1.6 points per game above Kyren Williams's 14.4. 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

Derrick Henry outscored Kyren Williams by 1.6 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.

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