Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Puka NacuaWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 19.4 PPG to Joe Mixon's 16.5 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Puka Nacua is the better fantasy play this season.

Cross-position decisions depend on league format. In half-PPR, Puka Nacua (19.4 PPG) is the higher-floor play. Joe Mixon (16.5 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.

Moderate confidence: stats favor the leader, but matchup variance could flip this weekly.

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RBHouston Texans#99

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

WRLos Angeles Rams#1PPG LEADER

Puka Nacua

PPG

19.4

Games

Rec

129

Rec Yds

1,715

Rec TDs

Targets

166

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Puka Nacua

Head to Head

16.5 PPG19.4 PPG

15 GP16 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Puka Nacua: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #1 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 1 (Elite) WR in most league formats.

Joe Mixon vs Puka Nacua: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) against Puka Nacua (WR, Los Angeles Rams) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Puka Nacua posted 19.4 PPG across 16 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, Puka Nacua in Week 11. 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: Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Puka Nacua (age 25) has years of prime production ahead. Buy-and-hold dynasty asset.

Did You Know?

•Puka Nacua outscored Joe Mixon by a projected 49 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Puka Nacua played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Puka Nacua 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.
•Puka Nacua caught 129 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 Puka Nacua: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Puka Nacua
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	19.4
Games Played	15	16
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	310
Rushing Yards	1,165	105
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	6.6
Rushing TDs	11	1
Receptions	32	129
Receiving Yards	240	1,715
Targets	0	166
Total TDs	12	11
Age	-	25
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Puka Nacua holds the PPG edge with strong output at 19.4 points per game. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 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 Puka Nacua in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Puka Nacua has the edge at 19.4 PPG compared to Joe Mixon's 16.5 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 Puka Nacua average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Puka Nacua averaged 19.4 PPG over 16 games. That is a difference of 2.9 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Puka Nacua's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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