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FANTASY TRADETARGET
Week 5 lineup decision · updated Oct 7, 2026, 3:25 PM EDT

Derrick Henry or James Cook: who should I start?

Start Derrick Henry over James Cook in Week 5. The Half PPR projection is 19.8 to 16.3.

The lean blends recorded scoring, recent workload, opponent positional defense and only same-week listed availability. Recheck the official inactive list before kickoff.

Start lean
Photograph of Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry

BAL vs. ATL
Floor13.0
Median19.8
Ceiling22.2

Recent PPG: 21.8

Recent volume: 26.0

Snap share: 65%

Availability: No current-week designation

Open player file →
Photograph of James Cook

James Cook

BUF vs. LAR
Floor8.7
Median16.3
Ceiling20.5

Recent PPG: 15.9

Recent volume: 19.5

Snap share: 63%

Availability: No current-week designation

Open player file →
Scoring changes the call

Week 5 projection by format.

4 points per passing TD
Standard

Start Derrick Henry

3.7-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Derrick Henry

BAL vs. ATL
Floor
12.9
Projection
19.1
Ceiling
21.6
Other option

James Cook

BUF vs. LAR
Floor
8.5
Projection
15.4
Ceiling
19.5
Half PPR

Start Derrick Henry

3.5-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Derrick Henry

BAL vs. ATL
Floor
13.0
Projection
19.8
Ceiling
22.2
Other option

James Cook

BUF vs. LAR
Floor
8.7
Projection
16.3
Ceiling
20.5
PPR

Start Derrick Henry

3.4-point gapHigh confidence
Recommended start

Derrick Henry

BAL vs. ATL
Floor
13.4
Projection
20.6
Ceiling
22.9
Other option

James Cook

BUF vs. LAR
Floor
10.6
Projection
17.2
Ceiling
21.4

Floor and ceiling show the lower and upper ends of the player's recent scoring range. The projection is the middle estimate after current role, matchup, and same-week availability are applied.

Why the model leans this way

Role first. Matchup second. Availability always visible.

Two relevant running-back options in a similar weekly range, compared through touches, receiving work, matchup and current availability.

Derrick Henry: recent role raises the estimate, and the matchup is neutral. James Cook: recent role raises the estimate, and the matchup is neutral.

Availability adjustments apply only when the source contains a Week 5 report. Older designations remain visible in the injury archive but do not reduce this projection.

Week 4 final result

James Cook scored more. The pregame lean was wrong.

Derrick Henry: 14.9 Half PPR · James Cook: 15.3 Half PPR.

Recent usageCheck snaps and opportunities →AvailabilityOpen the injury report →Rest of seasonCompare redraft value →