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Head to Head

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Joe Mixon vs Rhamondre StevensonWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 in 2025. Full head to head breakdown below.

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Mixon has the edge, but it is not a runaway. The 4.9-PPG advantage is real (16.5 to 11.6), and Joe Mixon's 12 touchdowns show scoring upside. Rhamondre Stevenson is the buy-low candidate if recent production has dipped, because the talent gap is smaller than the numbers suggest.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER
Joe Mixon
PPG
16.5
Games
15
Rush Yds
1,165
Rush TDs
11
Rec
32
Rec Yds
240
Bye
Week 14
RBNew England Patriots#22
Rhamondre Stevenson
PPG
11.6
Games
14
Rush Yds
603
Rush TDs
7
Rec
32
Rec Yds
345
Bye
Week 11

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
Joe Mixon
Rhamondre Stevenson

Head to Head

16.5 PPG11.6 PPG
15 GP14 GP
Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Rhamondre Stevenson: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #22 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Joe Mixon is producing at 75% of elite pace and Rhamondre Stevenson at 53%. That ranking gap means Rhamondre Stevenson carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Mixon vs Rhamondre Stevenson: The Full Breakdown

Two running backs who will land on plenty of the same rosters in 2026. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) finished the 2025 season averaging 16.5 fantasy points per game in 15 games. Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots) came in at 11.6 PPG over 14 games. The gap is real but not insurmountable with the right matchup.

Joe Mixon carries a 4.9-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; Rhamondre Stevenson posted 603 and 7. 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 Rhamondre Stevenson Week 11. 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

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Rhamondre Stevenson 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. Rhamondre Stevenson (age 28, 4 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

  • Joe Mixon outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by a projected 83 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 14. 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.
  • Rhamondre Stevenson 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 Rhamondre Stevenson: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
StatJoe MixonRhamondre Stevenson
PPG (Half-PPR)16.511.6
Games Played1514
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)248162
Rushing Yards1,165603
Rush Yds/Game77.743.1
Rushing TDs117
Receptions3232
Receiving Yards240345
Targets037
Total TDs129
Age-28
Experience-4 yrs
Bye WeekWeek 14Week 11

Summary

Based on 2025 production, Joe Mixon holds the PPG edge with solid output at 16.5 points per game. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's 11.6 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 Rhamondre Stevenson average in 2025?

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson averaged 11.6 PPG over 14 games. That is a difference of 4.9 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Rhamondre Stevenson's bye weeks in 2026?

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

Is Joe Mixon or Rhamondre Stevenson a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Joe Mixon outscored Rhamondre Stevenson by 4.9 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.

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