Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Khalil HerbertWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 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. Khalil Herbert (5.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Khalil Herbert as depth.

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

RBCincinnati Bengals#99

Khalil Herbert

PPG

5.8

Games

Rush Yds

248

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Khalil Herbert

Head to Head

16.5 PPG5.8 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Khalil Herbert: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Joe Mixon is producing at 75% of elite pace and Khalil Herbert at 26%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Mixon vs Khalil Herbert: 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 Khalil Herbert managed 5.8 across 12 games with the Cincinnati Bengals. A 10.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

A 10.7-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. Joe Mixon ran for 1165 yards and 11 touchdowns; Khalil Herbert posted 248 and 2. 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: Joe Mixon sits Week 14 while Khalil Herbert is off Week 12. 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. Khalil Herbert 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. Khalil Herbert (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Khalil Herbert by a projected 182 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Khalil Herbert's 12. 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

Joe Mixon vs Khalil Herbert: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Khalil Herbert
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	5.8
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	70
Rushing Yards	1,165	248
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	20.7
Rushing TDs	11	2
Receptions	32	12
Receiving Yards	240	85
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	12	2
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

Joe Mixon outscored Khalil Herbert by 10.7 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 5.8). 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 Khalil Herbert in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Khalil Herbert's 5.8 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 Khalil Herbert average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Khalil Herbert averaged 5.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 10.7 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Khalil Herbert's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Khalil Herbert (CIN) has a bye in Week 12. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Mixon or Khalil Herbert a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Khalil Herbert by 10.7 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.