Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Saquon BarkleyWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Saquon Barkley's 13.4 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. Saquon Barkley at 13.4 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Derrick Henry higher, but do not fade Saquon Barkley entirely.

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

RBPhiladelphia Eagles#14

Saquon Barkley

PPG

13.4

Games

Rush Yds

1,140

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

273

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Saquon Barkley

Head to Head

16.0 PPG13.4 PPG

17 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Saquon Barkley: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #14 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Saquon Barkley at 61%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Saquon Barkley: The Full Breakdown

If you are choosing between Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley for your lineup, you are not alone. Derrick Henry finished the 2025 season at 16.0 PPG for the Baltimore Ravens (17 games), and Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 for the Philadelphia Eagles (16 games).

That 2.6-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; Saquon Barkley posted 1140 and 7. 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 Saquon Barkley is off Week 10. 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. Saquon Barkley (age 29, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Saquon Barkley by a projected 44 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Saquon Barkley'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.
•Saquon Barkley caught 37 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Saquon Barkley: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Saquon Barkley
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	13.4
Games Played	17	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	214
Rushing Yards	1,595	1,140
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	71.3
Rushing TDs	16	7
Receptions	15	37
Receiving Yards	150	273
Targets	21	50
Total TDs	16	9
Age	32	29
Experience	9 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derrick Henry at 16.0 PPG, 2.6 points per game above Saquon Barkley's 13.4. 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 Saquon Barkley in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Saquon Barkley's 13.4 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 Saquon Barkley average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Saquon Barkley averaged 13.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.6 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Saquon Barkley (PHI) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Saquon Barkley by 2.6 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.