Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Rashee RiceWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Rashee Rice's 15.5 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. Rashee Rice (15.5 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.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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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

WRKansas City Chiefs#5

Rashee Rice

PPG

15.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

571

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 5

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Rashee Rice

Head to Head

16.5 PPG15.5 PPG

15 GP8 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 5

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Rashee Rice: Tier 1 (Elite) WR (ranked #5 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 Rashee Rice: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) against Rashee Rice (WR, Kansas City Chiefs) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Rashee Rice posted 15.5 PPG across 8 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, Rashee Rice in Week 5. 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. Rashee Rice (age 26) is in the middle of his productive window. Stable dynasty value.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Rashee Rice by a projected 17 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Rashee Rice's 8. 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.
•Rashee Rice caught 53 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 Rashee Rice: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Rashee Rice
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	15.5
Games Played	15	8
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	124
Rushing Yards	1,165	20
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	2.5
Rushing TDs	11	1
Receptions	32	53
Receiving Yards	240	571
Targets	0	78
Total TDs	12	6
Age	-	26
Experience	-	2 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 5

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 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 Rashee Rice in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Rashee Rice's 15.5 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 Rashee Rice average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rashee Rice averaged 15.5 PPG over 8 games. That is a difference of 1.0 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Rashee Rice's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Rashee Rice (KC) has a bye in Week 5. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.