Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dameon Pierce vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce by 10.1 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Dameon Pierce 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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RBHouston Texans#99

Dameon Pierce

PPG

6.4

Games

Rush Yds

342

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

108

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

Dameon Pierce

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

6.4 PPG16.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Dameon Pierce: 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, Dameon Pierce is producing at 29% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dameon Pierce 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 Dameon Pierce (Houston Texans, 6.4 PPG) by 10.1 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 10.1 points favors Joe Mixon, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dameon Pierce ran for 342 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.

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. Dameon Pierce is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Dameon Pierce (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 Dameon Pierce by a projected 172 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Dameon Pierce'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.
•Joe Mixon caught 32 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

Dameon Pierce vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dameon Pierce	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.4	16.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	83	248
Rushing Yards	342	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	26.3	77.7
Rushing TDs	2	11
Receptions	15	32
Receiving Yards	108	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	2	12
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 6.4 for Dameon Pierce in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Mixon, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Dameon Pierce or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Dameon Pierce's 6.4 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 Dameon Pierce and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Dameon Pierce averaged 6.4 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 10.1 points per game.

Do Dameon Pierce and Joe Mixon share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Dameon Pierce 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 Dameon Pierce or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Dameon Pierce by 10.1 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.