Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Austin Ekeler vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Mixon outscored Austin Ekeler by 7.5 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Austin Ekeler profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

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RBWashington Commanders#99

Austin Ekeler

PPG

9.0

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

360

Bye

Week 14

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

Austin Ekeler

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

9.0 PPG16.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Austin Ekeler: 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, Austin Ekeler is producing at 41% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Austin Ekeler vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

Joe Mixon and Austin Ekeler are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Houston Texans running back averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025, a full 7.5 points per game ahead of Austin Ekeler's 9.0 with the Washington Commanders. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

That 7.5-point weekly advantage for Joe Mixon is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Austin Ekeler is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 45 targets into 360 yards, while Joe Mixon profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1165 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Austin Ekeler carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

Both share a Week 14 bye, which matters for roster construction. If you are stacking running backs this deep on your bench, plan your replacement running back early.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Austin Ekeler is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Austin Ekeler (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 Austin Ekeler by a projected 128 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Austin Ekeler'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.
•Austin Ekeler caught 45 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
•Both players share a Week 14 bye. If you roster both, you will need a replacement at the position that week.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Austin Ekeler vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Austin Ekeler	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	9.0	16.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	126	248
Rushing Yards	425	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	30.4	77.7
Rushing TDs	3	11
Receptions	45	32
Receiving Yards	360	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	5	12
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Mixon at 16.5 PPG, 7.5 points per game above Austin Ekeler's 9.0. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Austin Ekeler or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Austin Ekeler's 9.0 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 Austin Ekeler and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Austin Ekeler averaged 9.0 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 7.5 points per game.

Do Austin Ekeler and Joe Mixon share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Austin Ekeler and Joe Mixon share a Week 14 bye in 2026. If you roster both, you will need a fill-in at running back for that week.

Is Austin Ekeler or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Austin Ekeler by 7.5 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.