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Updated August 24, 2026 from live stats

James Conner or Joe MixonWho should you draft or start in 2026 fantasy football?

DraftCall Analytics

Start Joe Mixon over James Conner in 2026.

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 to James Conner's 11.0, a 5.5 point per game edge. Both play running backs, so that per-game gap is the cleanest tiebreaker for a 2026 start or sit.

The Bottom Line

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. James Conner (11.0 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and James Conner as depth.

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

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RBArizona Cardinals

James Conner

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

752

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

218

Bye

Week 11

RBHouston TexansPPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

James Conner

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

11.0 PPG16.5 PPG

14 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 11Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

James Conner: Unranked RB. Joe Mixon: Unranked RB. Among the top 50 running backs this season, James Conner is producing at 50% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That per-game gap means Joe Mixon carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

James Conner vs Joe Mixon: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) finished the 2025 season averaging 11.0 fantasy points per game in 14 games. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) came in at 16.5 PPG over 15 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Joe Mixon carries a 5.5-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. James Conner ran for 752 yards and 5 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: James Conner sits Week 11 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. James Conner is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: James Conner (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 James Conner by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to James Conner's 14. 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

James Conner vs Joe Mixon: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	James Conner	Joe Mixon
PPG (Half-PPR)	11.0	16.5
Games Played	14	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	154	248
Rushing Yards	752	1,165
Rush Yds/Game	53.7	77.7
Rushing TDs	5	11
Receptions	28	32
Receiving Yards	218	240
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	6	12
Bye Week	Week 11	Week 14

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. James Conner averaged 11.0 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 James Conner or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to James Conner's 11.0 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.

Should I draft James Conner or Joe Mixon in 2026 fantasy football?▾

Joe Mixon is the earlier pick. He averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game in 2025 to James Conner's 11.0, a 5.5 point per game edge over a full season. Positional rank, fantasy tier, and bye week are broken down below.

How many fantasy points did James Conner and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

James Conner averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 14 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are James Conner and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

James Conner (ARI) has a bye in Week 11, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is James Conner or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored James Conner by 5.5 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.