Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs James Cook

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

This one is genuinely close. James Cook edges Derrick Henry by 0.8 PPG, but both are in the same production tier. The decision comes down to weekly matchup, not season-long resume. If you are choosing between them in a draft, James Cook goes slightly earlier based on volume, but do not reach for the difference.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBBaltimore Ravens#7

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 7

RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER

James Cook

PPG

16.8

Games

Rush Yds

1,621

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

291

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

James Cook

Head to Head

16.0 PPG16.8 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and James Cook at 76%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Derrick Henry vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

The gap between Derrick Henry and James Cook is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.8 PPG in 2025, this is one of those running back decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG with the Baltimore Ravens across 17 games, and James Cook posted 16.8 with the Buffalo Bills in 17.

When two running backs are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; James Cook posted 1621 and 12. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 7 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

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. James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•James Cook outscored Derrick Henry by a projected 14 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.
•James Cook caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•James Cook is 6 years younger than Derrick Henry (26 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
•Both players share a Week 7 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenryCook

PPG (Half-PPR)16.016.8

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272286

Rushing Yards1,5951,621

Rush Yds/Game93.895.4

Rushing TDs1612

Receptions1533

Receiving Yards150291

Targets2140

Total TDs1614

Age3226

Experience9 yrs3 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 7

Summary

James Cook outscored Derrick Henry by 0.8 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 16.0). 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 James Cook in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Derrick Henry's 16.0 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 Cook average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. James Cook averaged 16.8 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

Do Derrick Henry and James Cook share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Derrick Henry and James Cook share a Week 7 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

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

James Cook outscored Derrick Henry by 0.8 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.