Derrick Henry or De'Von Achane: Who Should You Start?

2026 Week 1 · deterministic head-to-head · Verdicts based on PPR scoring.

Achane's receiving role narrowly beats Henry's goal-line edge in PPR

Achane gets the PPR nod because his feature-back workload and receiving role create more paths to points, even with Miami's lower scoring outlook. Henry is still a strong start: Baltimore's team total and his goal-line power make him especially dangerous if the Ravens control the game. The margin is narrow, and Henry's touchdown equity is the real threat to this call; Achane's lower-scoring environment is his main risk.

What flips it: A major shift away from Achane's feature-back or passing-game role.

AI editor

In standard and half-PPR scoring this is a coin flip.

Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry

RB9BALvs IND

Projected Points

Start
De'Von Achane

De'Von Achane

RB5MIAvs LV

Projected Points

Start

Why Derrick Henry

Start

RB1 and workhorse power back. Elite size-speed tackle-breaker with heavy volume and goal-line dominance.

Start — every-week RB start at consensus RB9: 26.5 implied team total, 5% target share in 2025.

  • Baltimore's favorable script gives Henry a strong chance to cash in near the goal line.
  • His power profile can overcome lighter passing-game involvement if the Ravens sustain drives.

Latest on Henry

Derrick Henry said it'd be ‘crazy’ to play with Lamar Jackson and not win a championship with him.

baltimoreravens.com · Sep 7, 2026

Henry has made it clear this summer that this season will not be his last. But this season will likely be a momentous one nonetheless.

ESPN · Sep 2, 2026

Reported by the sources listed — not independently verified.

Why De'Von Achane

Start

RB1 and feature back. Elite home-run speed with heavy pass-game usage out of the backfield.

Start — every-week RB start at consensus RB5: 20% target share in 2025, 18.2 PPR projected vs LV.

  • Achane's heavy snap share and receiving usage protect his floor when Miami's offense stalls.
  • His explosive speed gives a thinner scoring environment a path to a ceiling game.

Head-to-head stats

MetricDerrick HenryDe'Von Achane
Projected points
Consensus rankRB9RB5
Opponent vs positionIND · 12 of 320-game sampleLV · 20 of 320-game sample
Rushing Yards10 of 3219 of 32
Rushing TDs12 of 3224 of 32
Rushing Attempts18 of 3228 of 32
Receptions10 of 3220 of 32
Receiving Yards4 of 3211 of 32
Anytime TD16 of 3220 of 32
Target share5%(2025)20%(2025)
Reception share5%(2025)22%(2025)
Implied total · spread26.5-3.519.3+3.0
Depth chartRB1RB1
Snap share55%(2025)75%(2025)

Signal breakdown

  • 16.4 vs 18.2 projected PPR pointsDe'Von Achane +
  • Rank 9 vs 5De'Von Achane +
  • Opponent DvP rank 12 vs 20 (32 = softest)even
  • Implied 26.5 vs 19.3 team pointsDerrick Henry +
  • No injury designationseven
  • 55% vs 75% snap shareDe'Von Achane +

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