Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Ty JohnsonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.0 PPG to Ty Johnson's 5.2 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

Derrick Henry is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.0 PPG and 1,745 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Ty Johnson (5.2 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Derrick Henry as the starter and Ty Johnson as depth.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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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

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ty Johnson

PPG

5.2

Games

Rush Yds

200

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

263

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Ty Johnson

Head to Head

16.0 PPG5.2 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 13Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Ty Johnson: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Ty Johnson at 24%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Ty Johnson: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Derrick Henry put up 16.0 fantasy points per game for the Baltimore Ravens in 2025, while Ty Johnson managed 5.2 across 17 games with the Buffalo Bills. A 10.8-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 10.8-PPG gap gives Derrick Henry the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Ty Johnson posted 200 and 3. 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 Ty Johnson is off Week 12. 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

If you can acquire Derrick Henry at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Ty Johnson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Ty Johnson (age 28, 7 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Ty Johnson by a projected 184 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.
•Ty Johnson is 4 years younger than Derrick Henry (28 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Derrick Henry vs Ty Johnson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Derrick Henry	Ty Johnson
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.0	5.2
Games Played	17	17
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	272	88
Rushing Yards	1,595	200
Rush Yds/Game	93.8	11.8
Rushing TDs	16	3
Receptions	15	24
Receiving Yards	150	263
Targets	21	33
Total TDs	16	5
Age	32	28
Experience	9 yrs	7 yrs
Bye Week	Week 13	Week 12

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored Ty Johnson by 10.8 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 5.2). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Ty Johnson in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Ty Johnson's 5.2 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 Ty Johnson average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Ty Johnson averaged 5.2 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 10.8 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Ty Johnson's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 13, and Ty Johnson (BUF) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Ty Johnson a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Ty Johnson by 10.8 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.