Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Tyler HigbeeWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Tyler Higbee's 6.5 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. Tyler Higbee (6.5 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.

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

TELos Angeles Rams#25

Tyler Higbee

PPG

6.5

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

281

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Tyler Higbee

Head to Head

16.5 PPG6.5 PPG

15 GP9 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Tyler Higbee: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE (ranked #25 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 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) TE in most league formats.

Joe Mixon vs Tyler Higbee: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) against Tyler Higbee (TE, Los Angeles Rams) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Tyler Higbee posted 6.5 PPG across 9 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, Tyler Higbee in Week 11. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Tyler Higbee 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. Tyler Higbee (age 33) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Tyler Higbee by a projected 170 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Tyler Higbee's 9. 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 Tyler Higbee: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Tyler Higbee
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	6.5
Games Played	15	9
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	59
Rushing Yards	1,165	0
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	0.0
Rushing TDs	11	0
Receptions	32	25
Receiving Yards	240	281
Targets	0	36
Total TDs	12	3
Age	-	33
Experience	-	9 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 11

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 6.5 for Tyler Higbee 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 Tyler Higbee in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Tyler Higbee'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 Tyler Higbee average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Tyler Higbee averaged 6.5 PPG over 9 games. That is a difference of 10.0 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Tyler Higbee's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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