Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Gus Edwards vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Gus Edwards's 7.0 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. Gus Edwards (7.0 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Gus Edwards as depth.

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

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RBLos Angeles Chargers#99

Gus Edwards

PPG

7.0

Games

Rush Yds

468

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 5

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

Gus Edwards

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

7.0 PPG16.5 PPG

13 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Gus Edwards: 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, Gus Edwards is producing at 32% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Gus Edwards vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

The numbers tell a clear story here. Joe Mixon put up 16.5 fantasy points per game for the Houston Texans in 2025, while Gus Edwards managed 7.0 across 13 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. A 9.5-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Joe Mixon carries a 9.5-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. Gus Edwards ran for 468 yards and 4 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Gus Edwards sits Week 5 while Joe Mixon is off Week 14. If you are deciding between the two as a season-long roster hold, the staggered byes actually work in your favor.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Gus Edwards is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Gus Edwards (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 Gus Edwards by a projected 162 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Gus Edwards'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.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Gus Edwards vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Gus Edwards	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	7.0	16.5
Games Played	13	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	91	248
Rushing Yards	468	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	36.0	77.7
Rushing TDs	4	11
Receptions	10	32
Receiving Yards	62	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	4	12
Bye Week	Week 5	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 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 Gus Edwards or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Gus Edwards's 7.0 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 Gus Edwards and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Gus Edwards averaged 7.0 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 9.5 points per game.

When are Gus Edwards and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Gus Edwards (LAC) has a bye in Week 5, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Gus Edwards or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Gus Edwards by 9.5 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.