Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.0-PPG advantage is real (20.0 to 16.0), and Jonathan Taylor's 20 touchdowns show scoring upside. Derrick Henry is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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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

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

16.0 PPG20.0 PPG

17 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.0 fantasy points per game in 17 games. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) came in at 20.0 PPG over 17 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Jonathan Taylor carries a 4.0-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Derrick Henry profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Derrick Henry sits Week 7 while Jonathan Taylor is off Week 11. 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 Jonathan Taylor at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Derrick Henry 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. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Derrick Henry by a projected 68 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Jonathan Taylor is 5 years younger than Derrick Henry (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenryTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)16.020.0

Games Played1717

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272340

Rushing Yards1,5951,585

Rush Yds/Game93.893.2

Rushing TDs1618

Receptions1546

Receiving Yards150378

Targets2155

Total TDs1620

Age3227

Experience9 yrs5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Jonathan Taylor holds the PPG edge with strong output at 20.0 points per game. Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 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 Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 4.0 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derrick Henry or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Derrick Henry by 4.0 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.