Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Samaje PerineWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine by 10.0 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Samaje Perine 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

RBKansas City Chiefs#99

Samaje Perine

PPG

6.5

Games

Rush Yds

285

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

182

Bye

Week 6

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Samaje Perine

Head to Head

16.5 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 6

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine at 30%. These two are close enough in the rankings that weekly matchup should dictate your start.

Joe Mixon vs Samaje Perine: 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 Samaje Perine managed 6.5 across 15 games with the Kansas City Chiefs. A 10.0-point weekly edge is substantial at the running back position.

That 10.0-point weekly advantage for Joe Mixon is meaningful but not automatic. Fantasy football is a week-to-week sport, and the answer to "who should I start" often changes based on opponent, recent form, and game environment. Season averages set the baseline; weekly context makes the call.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Joe Mixon ran for 1165 yards and 11 touchdowns; Samaje Perine posted 285 and 2. 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 Samaje Perine is off Week 6. 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

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Samaje Perine 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. Samaje Perine (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Samaje Perine by a projected 170 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 Samaje Perine: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Samaje Perine
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	6.5
Games Played	15	15
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	98
Rushing Yards	1,165	285
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	19.0
Rushing TDs	11	2
Receptions	32	24
Receiving Yards	240	182
Targets	0	0
Total TDs	12	3
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 6

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Mixon at 16.5 PPG, 10.0 points per game above Samaje Perine's 6.5. But season stats only tell part of the story. DraftCall's AI factors in weekly matchup, recent form, and injury status to give you a verdict that updates with the latest data.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Mixon or Samaje Perine in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Samaje Perine's 6.5 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 Samaje Perine average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Samaje Perine averaged 6.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 10.0 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Samaje Perine (KC) has a bye in Week 6. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Mixon or Samaje Perine a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Samaje Perine by 10.0 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.