Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Raheim SandersWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Mixon outscored Raheim Sanders by 11.8 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Raheim Sanders profiles as a matchup-dependent running back who can spike but lacks the consistent floor.

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

RBCleveland Browns#99

Raheim Sanders

PPG

4.7

Games

Rush Yds

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Raheim Sanders

Head to Head

16.5 PPG4.7 PPG

15 GP4 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Raheim Sanders: 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 Raheim Sanders at 21%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Mixon vs Raheim Sanders: The Full Breakdown

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Raheim Sanders (Cleveland Browns, 4.7 PPG) by 11.8 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 11.8 points favors Joe Mixon, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Joe Mixon ran for 1165 yards and 11 touchdowns; Raheim Sanders posted 92 and 1. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

One scheduling note: Joe Mixon is off Week 14 and Raheim Sanders Week 10. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Raheim Sanders is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Raheim Sanders (age 23) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Raheim Sanders by a projected 201 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Raheim Sanders's 4. 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 Raheim Sanders: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Raheim Sanders
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	4.7
Games Played	15	4
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	19
Rushing Yards	1,165	92
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	23.0
Rushing TDs	11	1
Receptions	32	3
Receiving Yards	240	21
Targets	0	4
Total TDs	12	1
Age	-	23
Experience	-	1 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 10

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 4.7 for Raheim Sanders in 2025. The baseline favors Joe Mixon, though the right weekly matchup can flip the script. For a full breakdown that weighs matchup quality, form, and injury reports, try DraftCall's AI comparison engine.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Mixon or Raheim Sanders in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Raheim Sanders's 4.7 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 Raheim Sanders average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Raheim Sanders averaged 4.7 PPG over 4 games. That is a difference of 11.8 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Raheim Sanders's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Mixon or Raheim Sanders a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Raheim Sanders by 11.8 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.