Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Michael Carter

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

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. Michael Carter (6.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Derrick Henry as the starter and Michael Carter 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 7

RBArizona Cardinals#51

Michael Carter

PPG

6.3

Games

Rush Yds

333

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

267

Bye

Week 8

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Michael Carter

Head to Head

16.0 PPG6.3 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 8

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Michael Carter: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #51 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Michael Carter at 29%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Michael Carter: Who Should You Start?

The numbers tell a clear story here. Derrick Henry put up 16.0 fantasy points per game for the Baltimore Ravens in 2025, while Michael Carter managed 6.3 across 13 games with the Arizona Cardinals. A 9.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Derrick Henry carries a 9.7-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.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Michael Carter posted 333 and 1. 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 7 while Michael Carter is off Week 8. 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. Michael Carter 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. Michael Carter (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Michael Carter by a projected 165 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Michael Carter's 13. 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.
•Michael Carter caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Michael Carter is 5 years younger than Derrick Henry (27 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenryCarter

PPG (Half-PPR)16.06.3

Games Played1713

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)27282

Rushing Yards1,595333

Rush Yds/Game93.825.6

Rushing TDs161

Receptions1533

Receiving Yards150267

Targets2145

Total TDs161

Age3227

Experience9 yrs4 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 8

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Derrick Henry holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.0 points per game. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 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 Michael Carter in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Michael Carter's 6.3 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 Michael Carter average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Michael Carter averaged 6.3 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 9.7 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Michael Carter's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Michael Carter (ARI) has a bye in Week 8. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Michael Carter a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Michael Carter by 9.7 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.