Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Jonnu SmithWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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. Jonnu Smith (8.2 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.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

TEMiami Dolphins#99

Jonnu Smith

PPG

8.2

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

562

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Jonnu Smith

Head to Head

16.5 PPG8.2 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonnu Smith: Tier 5 (Deep League) TE (ranked #99 at the position). Comparing across positions, raw PPG is less useful than positional scarcity. A Tier 5 (Deep League) RB is harder to replace on waivers than a Tier 5 (Deep League) TE in most league formats.

Joe Mixon vs Jonnu Smith: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) against Jonnu Smith (TE, Miami Dolphins) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Jonnu Smith posted 8.2 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.

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

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Jonnu Smith is a reasonable sell-high candidate if his recent games have spiked above his season average. Dynasty outlook: Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jonnu Smith (age 27) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Jonnu Smith by a projected 141 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.
•Jonnu Smith caught 52 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown

Joe Mixon vs Jonnu Smith: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Jonnu Smith
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	8.2
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	123
Rushing Yards	1,165	0
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	0.0
Rushing TDs	11	0
Receptions	32	52
Receiving Yards	240	562
Targets	0	68
Total TDs	12	4
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

Joe Mixon outscored Jonnu Smith by 8.3 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 8.2). 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 Joe Mixon or Jonnu Smith in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Jonnu Smith's 8.2 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 Joe Mixon and Jonnu Smith average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jonnu Smith averaged 8.2 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 8.3 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Jonnu Smith's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Jonnu Smith (MIA) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.