Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joe MixonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Ja'Marr Chase's 15.7 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. Ja'Marr Chase (15.7 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.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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WRCincinnati Bengals#3

Ja'Marr Chase

PPG

15.7

Games

Rec

125

Rec Yds

1,412

Rec TDs

Targets

185

Bye

Week 6

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

Ja'Marr Chase

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

15.7 PPG16.5 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Ja'Marr Chase: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #3 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 1 (Elite) WR is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) RB in most league formats.

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Ja'Marr Chase (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) against Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 PPG in 2025 over 16 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.

Ja'Marr Chase has his bye in Week 6, Joe Mixon in Week 14. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Ja'Marr Chase (age 26) 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 Ja'Marr Chase by a projected 14 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Ja'Marr Chase played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Ja'Marr Chase 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

Ja'Marr Chase vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Ja'Marr Chase	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	15.7	16.5
Games Played	16	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	251	248
Rushing Yards	14	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	0.9	77.7
Rushing TDs	0	11
Receptions	125	32
Receiving Yards	1,412	240
Targets	185	0
Total TDs	8	12
Age	26	-
Experience	4 yrs	-
Bye Week	Week 6	Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 15.7 for Ja'Marr Chase 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 Ja'Marr Chase or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Ja'Marr Chase's 15.7 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 Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Ja'Marr Chase averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.8 points per game.

When are Ja'Marr Chase and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) has a bye in Week 6, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.