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Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Alvin Kamara vs Derrick Henry

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Derrick Henry is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Derrick Henry outscored Alvin Kamara by 8.3 PPG in 2025 with 16 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derrick Henry is the clear pick. Alvin Kamara profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBNew Orleans Saints#41
Alvin Kamara
PPG
7.7
Games
11
Rush Yds
471
Rush TDs
1
Rec
33
Rec Yds
186
Bye
Week 11
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 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Alvin Kamara
Derrick Henry

Head to Head

7.7 PPG16.0 PPG
11 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Alvin Kamara: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #41 at the position). Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alvin Kamara is producing at 35% of elite pace and Derrick Henry at 73%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Alvin Kamara vs Derrick Henry: Who Should You Start?

Derrick Henry and Alvin Kamara are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Baltimore Ravens running back averaged 16.0 PPG in 2025, a full 8.3 points per game ahead of Alvin Kamara's 7.7 with the New Orleans Saints. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 8.3 points favors Derrick Henry, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alvin Kamara ran for 471 yards and 1 touchdowns; Derrick Henry posted 1595 and 16. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Alvin Kamara has his bye in Week 11, and Derrick Henry rests in Week 7. 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

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Alvin Kamara is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Alvin Kamara (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Derrick Henry outscored Alvin Kamara by a projected 141 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Alvin Kamara's 11. 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.
  • Alvin Kamara caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatKamaraHenry
PPG (Half-PPR)7.716.0
Games Played1117
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)85272
Rushing Yards4711,595
Rush Yds/Game42.893.8
Rushing TDs116
Receptions3315
Receiving Yards186150
Targets3921
Total TDs116
Age3032
Experience8 yrs9 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 11Week 7

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 7.7 for Alvin Kamara 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 Alvin Kamara or Derrick Henry in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Alvin Kamara's 7.7 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 Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry average in 2025?

Alvin Kamara averaged 7.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 11 games in 2025. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.3 points per game.

When are Alvin Kamara and Derrick Henry's bye weeks in 2026?

Alvin Kamara (NO) has a bye in Week 11, and Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alvin Kamara or Derrick Henry a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Derrick Henry outscored Alvin Kamara by 8.3 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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