Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Aaron Jones vs Joe Mixon

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

The gap here is significant. Joe Mixon outscored Aaron Jones by 7.8 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Aaron Jones 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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RBMinnesota Vikings#34

Aaron Jones

PPG

8.7

Games

Rush Yds

548

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

199

Bye

Week 6

RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

The Edge Chart

Aaron Jones

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

8.7 PPG16.5 PPG

12 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 6Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Aaron Jones: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #34 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Aaron Jones is producing at 40% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means Aaron Jones carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Aaron Jones vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

Joe Mixon and Aaron Jones are at different tiers heading into 2026. The Houston Texans running back averaged 16.5 PPG in 2025, a full 7.8 points per game ahead of Aaron Jones's 8.7 with the Minnesota Vikings. That kind of gap doesn't close on matchup alone.

The per-game difference of 7.8 points favors Joe Mixon, though savvy managers know that gap can shrink or widen depending on the weekly slate. Defensive matchup, recent scoring trends, and health status all shift the calculus from one running back to the other.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Aaron Jones ran for 548 yards and 2 touchdowns; Joe Mixon posted 1165 and 11. Goal-line share, red zone touches, and which team is favored are usually the tiebreaker when neither back offers passing-game volume.

Aaron Jones has his bye in Week 6, and Joe Mixon rests in Week 14. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at running back for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Aaron Jones is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Aaron Jones (age 31, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value. Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Aaron Jones by a projected 133 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to Aaron Jones's 12. 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▾

StatJonesMixon

PPG (Half-PPR)8.716.5

Games Played1215

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)104248

Rushing Yards5481,165

Rush Yds/Game45.777.7

Rushing TDs211

Receptions2832

Receiving Yards199240

Targets410

Total TDs312

Age31-

Experience8 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 6Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 8.7 for Aaron Jones 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 Aaron Jones or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Aaron Jones's 8.7 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 Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Aaron Jones averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 12 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 7.8 points per game.

When are Aaron Jones and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Aaron Jones or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Aaron Jones by 7.8 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.