Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Alexander Mattison vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Mixon is clearly the better fantasy option heading into 2026. With 16.5 PPG and 1,405 total yards in 2025, the production separation is too wide to overcome on matchup alone. Alexander Mattison (5.3 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Alexander Mattison as depth.

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

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RBLas Vegas Raiders#99

Alexander Mattison

PPG

5.3

Games

Rush Yds

255

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Alexander Mattison

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

5.3 PPG16.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Alexander Mattison: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Alexander Mattison is producing at 24% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Alexander Mattison vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Alexander Mattison (Las Vegas Raiders, 5.3 PPG) by 11.2 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

A 11.2-PPG gap gives Joe Mixon the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Alexander Mattison ran for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns; Joe Mixon posted 1165 and 11. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Alexander Mattison is off Week 10 and Joe Mixon Week 14. 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

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Alexander Mattison is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Alexander Mattison (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Alexander Mattison by a projected 190 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Alexander Mattison's 14. That durability gap means Joe Mixon contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Joe Mixon scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Joe Mixon caught 32 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Alexander Mattison vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Alexander Mattison	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	5.3	16.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	74	248
Rushing Yards	255	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	18.2	77.7
Rushing TDs	2	11
Receptions	14	32
Receiving Yards	95	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	12
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

Joe Mixon outscored Alexander Mattison by 11.2 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 5.3). 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 Alexander Mattison or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Alexander Mattison's 5.3 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 Alexander Mattison and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Alexander Mattison averaged 5.3 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 11.2 points per game.

When are Alexander Mattison and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Alexander Mattison (LV) has a bye in Week 10, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Alexander Mattison or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Alexander Mattison by 11.2 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.