Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Miles Sanders

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. Miles Sanders (5.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Derrick Henry as the starter and Miles Sanders 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

RBDallas Cowboys#56

Miles Sanders

PPG

5.7

Games

Rush Yds

117

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Miles Sanders

Head to Head

16.0 PPG5.7 PPG

17 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Miles Sanders: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #56 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Miles Sanders at 26%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Miles Sanders: 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 Miles Sanders managed 5.7 across 4 games with the Dallas Cowboys. A 10.3-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 10.3-PPG gap gives Derrick Henry the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 touchdowns; Miles Sanders posted 117 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 Miles Sanders is off Week 10. 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. Miles Sanders 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. Miles Sanders (age 29, 6 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Miles Sanders by a projected 175 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Miles Sanders's 4. 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▾

StatHenrySanders

PPG (Half-PPR)16.05.7

Games Played174

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)27223

Rushing Yards1,595117

Rush Yds/Game93.829.3

Rushing TDs161

Receptions158

Receiving Yards15030

Targets218

Total TDs161

Age3229

Experience9 yrs6 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 10

Summary

Derrick Henry outscored Miles Sanders by 10.3 PPG in 2025 (16.0 to 5.7). 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 Miles Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Miles Sanders's 5.7 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 Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Miles Sanders averaged 5.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 10.3 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Miles Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry (BAL) has a bye in Week 7, and Miles Sanders (DAL) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Derrick Henry or Miles Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Miles Sanders by 10.3 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.