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Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

D'Andre Swift vs Joe Mixon

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

Joe Mixon is the better play on a neutral week. 16.5 PPG with 1,405 yards gives a reliable baseline. D'Andre Swift at 13.2 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Mixon higher, but do not fade D'Andre Swift entirely.

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

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RBChicago Bears#16
D'Andre Swift
PPG
13.2
Games
16
Rush Yds
1,087
Rush TDs
9
Rec
34
Rec Yds
299
Bye
Week 5
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

The Edge Chart

VolumeEfficiencyTD UpsideFloorCeilingDurability
D'Andre Swift
Joe Mixon

Head to Head

13.2 PPG16.5 PPG
16 GP15 GP
Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

D'Andre Swift: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #16 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, D'Andre Swift is producing at 60% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means D'Andre Swift carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

D'Andre Swift vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between D'Andre Swift and Joe Mixon is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Chicago Bears running back put up 13.2 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Joe Mixon of the Houston Texans averaged 16.5 in 15. A 3.3-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.3 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. D'Andre Swift ran for 1087 yards and 9 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.

D'Andre Swift has his bye in Week 5, 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. D'Andre Swift is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: D'Andre Swift (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

  • Joe Mixon outscored D'Andre Swift by a projected 56 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
  • D'Andre Swift played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means D'Andre Swift 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.
  • D'Andre Swift caught 34 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.
Detailed Stat Breakdown
StatSwiftMixon
PPG (Half-PPR)13.216.5
Games Played1615
Total Fantasy Pts (est.)211248
Rushing Yards1,0871,165
Rush Yds/Game67.977.7
Rushing TDs911
Receptions3432
Receiving Yards299240
Targets480
Total TDs1012
Age27-
Experience5 yrs-
Bye WeekWeek 5Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 13.2 for D'Andre Swift 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 D'Andre Swift or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to D'Andre Swift's 13.2 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 D'Andre Swift and Joe Mixon average in 2025?

D'Andre Swift averaged 13.2 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 16 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 3.3 points per game.

When are D'Andre Swift and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?

D'Andre Swift (CHI) has a bye in Week 5, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is D'Andre Swift or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?

Joe Mixon outscored D'Andre Swift by 3.3 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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