Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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. Jaleel McLaughlin (6.9 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Jaleel McLaughlin as depth.

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

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RBDenver Broncos#99

Jaleel McLaughlin

PPG

6.9

Games

Rush Yds

382

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

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

Jaleel McLaughlin

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

6.9 PPG16.5 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaleel McLaughlin: 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, Jaleel McLaughlin is producing at 31% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Jaleel McLaughlin 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 Jaleel McLaughlin managed 6.9 across 15 games with the Denver Broncos. A 9.6-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 9.6-PPG gap gives Joe Mixon the edge on paper, but paper does not account for Thursday night matchups, weather games, or a star defender returning from injury. The real question is not who was better in 2025, but who is the better start this specific week.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Jaleel McLaughlin ran for 382 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.

One thing to note: both players share a Week 14 bye. That means you need a backup plan at running back for that week, especially if one of these two is your starter.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jaleel McLaughlin is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Jaleel McLaughlin (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 Jaleel McLaughlin by a projected 163 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.
•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

Jaleel McLaughlin vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Jaleel McLaughlin	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	6.9	16.5
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	104	248
Rushing Yards	382	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	25.5	77.7
Rushing TDs	2	11
Receptions	22	32
Receiving Yards	168	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	3	12
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 14

Summary

Joe Mixon outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 9.6 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 6.9). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Jaleel McLaughlin or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Jaleel McLaughlin's 6.9 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 Jaleel McLaughlin and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Jaleel McLaughlin averaged 6.9 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 9.6 points per game.

Do Jaleel McLaughlin and Joe Mixon share a bye week?▾

Yes, both Jaleel McLaughlin 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 Jaleel McLaughlin or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Jaleel McLaughlin by 9.6 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.