Saquon Barkley vs Derrick Henry

“If anything were to happen to Saquon Barkley , Bigsby would be a huge beneficiary for fantasy.”

“31 10 21 James Cook 13 5 8 Josh Jacobs 7 15 -8 Saquon Barkley 2 13 -11 Bucky Irving 10 33 -23 In past years, so many top RBs have gotten hurt that the Zero (or hero) RB draft strategies have become popular.”

“Likely everyone’s biggest question around the Eagles is, can Saquon Barkley bounce back in 2026? The simple answer is yes; it is in the range of outcomes. However, the reality is that Saquon is 29 and getting older.”

“For 2025, Saquon had an 8% greater success rate running Outside vs Inside Zone .”

“While a minor post-Super Bowl efficiency dip was baked into 2025 projections, Saquon Barkley ’s drop from RB4 draft capital to an RB14 positional finish exposed severe infrastructure cracks.”

“After finishing last year as the RB14, fantasy players should avoid drafting Barkley as a mid-range RB1.”

“Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI) After running laps around the position in 2024, Saquon Barkley’s finish of RB14 was a shock. Despite only missing one game, he scored 214 fantasy points compared to the 339 points he scored in 2024.”

“Given the season he had in 2024 and the expectations created for gamers, Barkley may have produced the most disappointing 1,413-yard, 9-touchdown season in history. Regression was certainly expected coming off his historic run the year before, and a lot went wrong for this offense.”

“Add this all up — plus another 300+ projected touches — and Barkley could be looking at another top-five season at running back at a significant discount on Fantrax. He has a realistic path to another 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 10+ touchdowns.”

“With a new offensive coordinator and a healthy offensive line, it's not hard to start seeing the positives for Barkley. The Eagles running back is the undoubted No. 1 RB on an offense that will score points.”

“Barkley had an absurd number of touches in 2024 and ran hot on explosive runs. Once he and the Eagles were hit with regression, it was no wonder things crashed back to Earth.”

“Over the last two seasons, Barkley has averaged just 35 receptions for 275 receiving yards and two touchdowns. A decline in per-touch efficiency, as he nears 30, is also working against him, as he has steadily transitioned away from being a big-play threat and into more of a volume-based option at running back.”

“Derrick Henry (BAL) — ECR: RB11 | Projection Rank: RB5 | Projected FPTS: 264.”

“Yesterday, I was speaking with Football Absurdity hair model Waleed Ismail about an auction team he mock drafted where he went heavy RB (Bijan, Hampton, Derrick Henry), and paid down at WR (Carnell Tate, Parker Washington).”

“Overall, the increase of under-center snaps favors Derrick Henry , which poses a specific siphoning risk related to rushing TD opportunity.”

“Derrick Henry (BAL) — ECR: RB11 | Projection Rank: RB6 | Projected FPTS: 264.0 Last year was another impressive year for Derrick Henry . He didn’t show any signs of slowing down with 307 rushing attempts, 1.595 rushing yards, 16 total touchdowns, and an RB8 finish in fantasy points per game.”

“Other skill-position players with a similar LTV include fellow veteran Derrick Henry and Sam LaPorta.”

“Baltimore now turns to head coach Jesse Minter, whose offseason reviews highlight a more explosive and creative scheme. That shift should benefit Henry's usage and the offense as a whole. The veteran's current average draft position in the middle rounds is a clear value.”

“Every season, managers expect Derrick Henry to decline, and every season he proves them wrong. Henry turned 32 in January, yet his power, durability and efficiency remain intact. He finished as the RB8 in PPR formats last year with 279.5 fantasy points and continues to play well beyond typical age curves.”

“Much like fine wine, it just seems like Derrick Henry is getting better with age. However, only the 1972 Miami Dolphins and Father Time are undefeated. King Henry is coming off a career season in which he had 27 carries in the 5-yard line. There isn't anyone challenging him on the depth chart for touches, so the only concern in 2026 is age and the departure of center Tyler Linderbaum.”

“Derrick Henry is entering his late-career danger zone, and the depth behind him is paper-thin.”

“Every season fantasy managers wonder whether Derrick Henry is finally slowing down. Jake Ciely isn't buying it. His reasoning is simple. Henry's draft cost continues to fall even though his production hasn't. Ciely also pointed out that Henry's fantasy scoring remains remarkably consistent regardless of game script, making him one of the safest veteran running backs available. At his current ADP, he's comfortable betting on Henry one more time.”

“While some won't draft Henry for fear his age makes him an injury risk, the veteran has played in at least 15 games in all but one year of his career, including 17 contests in three consecutive seasons. He was RB8 last year, averaging 16.4 PPR fantasy points per game despite totaling only 15 receptions, 18 fewer than any other running back to finish top 20.”

“If Lamar Jackson can bounce back, Henry could inch back closer to his 2024 production (RB4 in fantasy points per game). He's at worst a low-end RB1 with top-five upside.”