Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Dylan Sampson vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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. Dylan Sampson (4.7 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Dylan Sampson as depth.

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

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RBCleveland Browns#99

Dylan Sampson

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

175

Rec

Rec Yds

271

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

Dylan Sampson

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

4.7 PPG16.5 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 10Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Dylan Sampson: 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, Dylan Sampson is producing at 21% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Dylan Sampson 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 Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 11.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

Joe Mixon carries a 11.8-point PPG advantage from the 2025 season. That baseline matters, but it is one input among several. Matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and injury reports move the needle week to week, which is why the best answer changes depending on when you are asking.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Dylan Sampson ran for 175 yards and undefined 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: Dylan Sampson 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. Dylan Sampson is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Dylan Sampson (age 21) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Dylan Sampson by a projected 201 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon scored 12 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.8 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Dylan Sampson caught 33 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Dylan Sampson vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Dylan Sampson	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	4.7	16.5
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	71	248
Rushing Yards	175	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	11.7	77.7
Rushing TDs	0	11
Receptions	33	32
Receiving Yards	271	240
Targets	40	0
Total TDs	2	12
Age	21	-
Experience	1 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 10	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Dylan Sampson averaged 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Dylan Sampson's 4.7 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 Dylan Sampson and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

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

When are Dylan Sampson and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Dylan Sampson (CLE) 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 Dylan Sampson or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Dylan Sampson by 11.8 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.