Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs MarShawn LloydWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 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. MarShawn Lloyd (6.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and MarShawn Lloyd 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

RBGreen Bay Packers#99

MarShawn Lloyd

PPG

6.8

Games

Rush Yds

325

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

112

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

MarShawn Lloyd

Head to Head

16.5 PPG6.8 PPG

15 GP12 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). MarShawn Lloyd: 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 MarShawn Lloyd at 31%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Mixon vs MarShawn Lloyd: The Full Breakdown

Joe Mixon and MarShawn Lloyd are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Houston Texans running back averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025, a full 9.7 points per game ahead of MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 with the Green Bay Packers. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

Joe Mixon carries a 9.7-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. Joe Mixon ran for 1165 yards and 11 touchdowns; MarShawn Lloyd posted 325 and 3. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Joe Mixon has his bye in Week 14, and MarShawn Lloyd rests in Week 10. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. MarShawn Lloyd 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. MarShawn Lloyd (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored MarShawn Lloyd by a projected 165 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to MarShawn Lloyd'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 MarShawn Lloyd: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	MarShawn Lloyd
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	6.8
Games Played	15	12
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	82
Rushing Yards	1,165	325
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	27.1
Rushing TDs	11	3
Receptions	32	16
Receiving Yards	240	112
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	12	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 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 Joe Mixon or MarShawn Lloyd in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to MarShawn Lloyd's 6.8 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 MarShawn Lloyd average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. MarShawn Lloyd averaged 6.8 PPG over 12 games. That is a difference of 9.7 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and MarShawn Lloyd's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and MarShawn Lloyd (GB) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Mixon or MarShawn Lloyd a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored MarShawn Lloyd by 9.7 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.