Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs James Conner

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 James Conner by 5.0 PPG in 2025 with 16 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derrick Henry is the clear pick. James Conner 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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RBBaltimore Ravens#7PPG LEADER

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 7

RBArizona Cardinals#99

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

James Conner

Head to Head

16.0 PPG11.0 PPG

17 GP14 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). James Conner: 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 James Conner at 50%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs James Conner: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Derrick Henry and James Conner is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Baltimore Ravens running back put up 16.0 PPG in 2025 over 17 games; James Conner of the Arizona Cardinals averaged 11.0 in 14. A 5.0-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.0 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. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; James Conner posted 752 and 5. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Derrick Henry is off Week 7 and James Conner Week 11. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Derrick Henry is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. James Conner 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. James Conner (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored James Conner by a projected 85 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenryConner

PPG (Half-PPR)16.011.0

Games Played1714

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272154

Rushing Yards1,595752

Rush Yds/Game93.853.7

Rushing TDs165

Receptions1528

Receiving Yards150218

Targets210

Total TDs166

Age32-

Experience9 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 11

Summary

16.0 PPG for Derrick Henry versus 11.0 for James Conner 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 James Conner in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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 James Conner average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Conner averaged 11.0 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 5.0 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and James Conner's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 7, and James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or James Conner a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored James Conner by 5.0 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.