Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Tyjae Spears

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 Tyjae Spears by 9.1 PPG in 2025 with 16 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Derrick Henry is the clear pick. Tyjae Spears 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

RBTennessee Titans#48

Tyjae Spears

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

283

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

264

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Derrick Henry

Tyjae Spears

Head to Head

16.0 PPG6.9 PPG

17 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Tyjae Spears: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #48 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Tyjae Spears at 31%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Tyjae Spears: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) averaged 16.0 PPG over 17 games in 2025, outscoring Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans, 6.9 PPG) by 9.1 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

That 9.1-point weekly advantage for Derrick Henry is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Tyjae Spears is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 264 yards, while Derrick Henry profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1595 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Tyjae Spears carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Derrick Henry is off Week 7 and Tyjae Spears Week 10. 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. Tyjae Spears 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. Tyjae Spears (age 24) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Derrick Henry outscored Tyjae Spears by a projected 155 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Tyjae Spears'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.
•Tyjae Spears caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Tyjae Spears is 8 years younger than Derrick Henry (24 vs 32), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatHenrySpears

PPG (Half-PPR)16.06.9

Games Played1713

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)27290

Rushing Yards1,595283

Rush Yds/Game93.821.8

Rushing TDs162

Receptions1545

Receiving Yards150264

Targets2150

Total TDs162

Age3224

Experience9 yrs2 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 10

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Derrick Henry at 16.0 PPG, 9.1 points per game above Tyjae Spears's 6.9. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Derrick Henry or Tyjae Spears in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Derrick Henry has the edge at 16.0 PPG compared to Tyjae Spears's 6.9 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 Tyjae Spears average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Tyjae Spears averaged 6.9 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 9.1 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Tyjae Spears's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derrick Henry or Tyjae Spears a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Derrick Henry outscored Tyjae Spears by 9.1 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.