Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Ray DavisWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Ray Davis's 7.8 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. Ray Davis (7.8 PPG) is a hold, not a sell, but roster Joe Mixon as the starter and Ray Davis 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

RBBuffalo Bills#99

Ray Davis

PPG

7.8

Games

Rush Yds

425

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

168

Bye

Week 12

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Ray Davis

Head to Head

16.5 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 12

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Ray Davis: 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 Ray Davis at 35%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Mixon vs Ray Davis: 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 Ray Davis managed 7.8 across 15 games with the Buffalo Bills. A 8.7-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

Joe Mixon carries a 8.7-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; Ray Davis posted 425 and 3. 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 Ray Davis 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. Ray Davis 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. Ray Davis (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Ray Davis by a projected 148 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•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 Ray Davis: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Ray Davis
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	7.8
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	117
Rushing Yards	1,165	425
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	28.3
Rushing TDs	11	3
Receptions	32	22
Receiving Yards	240	168
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	12	4
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 12

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 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 Ray Davis in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Ray Davis's 7.8 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 Ray Davis average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Ray Davis averaged 7.8 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 8.7 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Ray Davis's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Joe Mixon or Ray Davis a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Ray Davis by 8.7 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.