Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Brandon Aiyuk vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Brandon Aiyuk's 11.8 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Joe Mixon (16.5 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Brandon Aiyuk (11.8 PPG) could win a specific week on touchdown variance. For FLEX spots, lean toward the player with the softer defensive matchup that week rather than defaulting to season averages.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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WRSan Francisco 49ers#99

Brandon Aiyuk

PPG

11.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

762

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 9

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

Brandon Aiyuk

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

11.8 PPG16.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 9Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Brandon Aiyuk: Tier 5 (Deep League) WR (ranked #99 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 5 (Deep League) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) RB in most league formats.

Brandon Aiyuk vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Brandon Aiyuk (WR, San Francisco 49ers) against Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG in 2025 over 13 games, while Joe Mixon posted 16.5 PPG across 15 games.

Cross-position FLEX decisions cannot be made on PPG alone. Positional scarcity, matchup quality, floor versus ceiling, and league scoring format all shift the answer. A 14 PPG tight end in a thin TE week is often worth more than a 16 PPG receiver in a deep WR week, because the opportunity cost on the waiver wire is wildly different.

DraftCall's AI engine weighs all of these signals and returns a verdict with clear reasoning, so you are not cross-referencing four different rankings tabs on a Sunday morning.

Brandon Aiyuk has his bye in Week 9, Joe Mixon in Week 14. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

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

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Brandon Aiyuk by a projected 80 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 13. 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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Brandon Aiyuk vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Brandon Aiyuk	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.8	16.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	153	248
Rushing Yards	0	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	0.0	77.7
Rushing TDs	0	11
Receptions	58	32
Receiving Yards	762	240
Targets	82	0
Total TDs	5	12
Bye Week	Week 9	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 PPG. Season averages are a starting point, not the final word. For a full AI analysis factoring matchup quality, recent form, injury impact, and game script, download DraftCall and get a verdict backed by real data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Brandon Aiyuk or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Brandon Aiyuk's 11.8 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 Brandon Aiyuk and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Brandon Aiyuk averaged 11.8 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 13 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 4.7 points per game.

When are Brandon Aiyuk and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Brandon Aiyuk (SF) has a bye in Week 9, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.