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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Hunter Henry vs James Cook

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

James Cook is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, James Cook (16.8 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Hunter Henry (8.8 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

High confidence: stats strongly favor the leader, and the gap is unlikely to close on matchup alone.

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TENew England Patriots#13
Hunter Henry
PPG
8.8
Games
17
Rec
60
Rec Yds
768
Rec TDs
7
Targets
87
Bye
Week 14
RBBuffalo Bills#6PPG LEADER
James Cook
PPG
16.8
Games
17
Rush Yds
1,621
Rush TDs
12
Rec
33
Rec Yds
291
Bye
Week 7

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Hunter Henry
James Cook

Head to Head

8.8 PPG16.8 PPG
17 GP17 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Hunter Henry: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #13 at the position). James Cook: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #6 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB in most league formats.

Hunter Henry vs James Cook: Who Should You Start?

Comparing Hunter Henry (TE, New England Patriots) against James Cook (RB, Buffalo Bills) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 PPG in 2025 over 17 games, while James Cook posted 16.8 PPG across 17 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Hunter Henry has his bye in Week 14, James Cook in Week 7. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire James Cook at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Hunter Henry is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Hunter Henry (age 31) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining. James Cook (age 26) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • James Cook outscored Hunter Henry by a projected 136 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • James Cook scored 14 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
  • Hunter Henry saw 87 targets in 2025. Target volume is the single strongest predictor of weekly PPR production at the tight end position.
  • James Cook is 5 years younger than Hunter Henry (26 vs 31), which significantly impacts dynasty league trade value.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatHenryCook
PPG (Half-PPR)8.816.8
Games Played1717
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)150286
Rushing Yards01,621
Rush Yds/Game0.095.4
Rushing TDs012
Receptions6033
Receiving Yards768291
Targets8740
Total TDs714
Age3126
Experience9 yrs3 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 7

Summary

James Cook outscored Hunter Henry by 8.0 PPG in 2025 (16.8 to 8.8). 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 Hunter Henry or James Cook in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, James Cook has the edge at 16.8 PPG compared to Hunter Henry's 8.8 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 Hunter Henry and James Cook average in 2025?

Hunter Henry averaged 8.8 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 8.0 points per game.

When are Hunter Henry and James Cook's bye weeks in 2026?

Hunter Henry (NE) has a bye in Week 14, and James Cook (BUF) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

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