Head to Head

Updated June 3, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Zach ErtzWho should you start in 2026 fantasy football?

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy start for 2026, averaging 16.5 PPG to Zach Ertz's 7.8 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. Zach Ertz (7.8 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.

Want this verdict updated live on Sunday?

Track Joe Mixon and Zach Ertz in the DraftCall app and get their updates the moment they change.

Get the App

RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

TEWashington Commanders#20

Zach Ertz

PPG

7.8

Games

Rec

Rec Yds

504

Rec TDs

Targets

Bye

Week 7

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Zach Ertz

Head to Head

16.5 PPG7.8 PPG

15 GP13 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 7

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Zach Ertz: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) TE (ranked #20 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 3 (Flex/Starter) TE in most league formats.

Joe Mixon vs Zach Ertz: The Full Breakdown

Comparing Joe Mixon (RB, Houston Texans) against Zach Ertz (TE, Washington Commanders) means weighing two different roles in your fantasy lineup. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games, while Zach Ertz posted 7.8 PPG across 13 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, Zach Ertz in Week 7. Plan your FLEX rotation around those weeks, especially if either player is anchoring your roster.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

If you can acquire Joe Mixon at a discount because your league-mates undervalue running back production, do it. Zach Ertz 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. Zach Ertz (age 35) is in the later years of production. Still a redraft asset, but dynasty value is declining.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Zach Ertz by a projected 148 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Zach Ertz's 13. 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.
•Zach Ertz caught 50 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 Zach Ertz: 2025 fantasy football stat comparison in the half-PPR scoring format.
Stat	Joe Mixon	Zach Ertz
PPG (Half-PPR)	16.5	7.8
Games Played	15	13
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)	248	101
Rushing Yards	1,165	0
Rush Yds/Game	77.7	0.0
Rushing TDs	11	0
Receptions	32	50
Receiving Yards	240	504
Targets	0	72
Total TDs	12	4
Age	-	35
Experience	-	12 yrs
Bye Week	Week 14	Week 7

Summary

Joe Mixon outscored Zach Ertz by 8.7 PPG in 2025 (16.5 to 7.8). That production gap is the baseline, but weekly context shifts the answer. DraftCall analyzes matchup difficulty, scoring trends, and health data to deliver a clear start or sit recommendation backed by real reasoning.

Website vs App

Get the AI verdict on Joe Mixon vs Zach Ertz

DraftCall's AI analyzes matchup quality, recent trends, injury impact, and game script to give you a clear start/sit recommendation.

See everything in the app →

Launch List

Get the live verdict on Joe Mixon vs Zach Ertz

The DraftCall app delivers live game-day verdicts on every matchup. Join the launch list and we will email you the day it goes live for the 2026 NFL season, with your direct iOS and Android install links.

We will never share your email. Unsubscribe anytime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start Joe Mixon or Zach Ertz in fantasy football?▾

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

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Zach Ertz averaged 7.8 PPG over 13 games. That is a difference of 8.7 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Zach Ertz's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Zach Ertz (WAS) has a bye in Week 7. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.