Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Nico CollinsWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Nico Collins's 12.7 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. Nico Collins (12.7 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.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

WRHouston Texans#10

Nico Collins

PPG

12.7

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

1,117

Rec TDs

Targets

120

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Nico Collins

Head to Head

16.0 PPG12.7 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Nico Collins: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) WR (ranked #10 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 Nico Collins: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Derrick Henry (RB, Baltimore Ravens) against Nico Collins (WR, Houston Texans) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while Nico Collins posted 12.7 PPG across 15 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, Nico Collins in Week 8. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Nico Collins 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. Nico Collins (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Nico Collins by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Nico Collins'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.
•Nico Collins caught 71 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Nico Collins is 5 years younger than Derrick Henry (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Nico Collins: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Nico Collins
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	12.7
Games Played	17	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	191
Rushing Yards	1,595	15
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	1.0
Rushing TDs	16	1
Receptions	15	71
Receiving Yards	150	1,117
Targets	21	120
Total TDs	16	7
Age	32	27
Experience	9 yrs	4 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 8

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 12.7 for Nico Collins 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 Nico Collins in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Nico Collins's 12.7 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 Nico Collins average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Nico Collins averaged 12.7 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Nico Collins's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Nico Collins (HOU) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.