Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Derrick Henry vs Joe Mixon

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Joe Mixon is the better fantasy play this season.

Statistically, Joe Mixon and Derrick Henry are interchangeable on a season-long basis. The 0.5-PPG gap is one broken play per game. For weekly start/sit calls, check opponent defense and recent form before defaulting to the name.

Low confidence: the production gap is narrow enough that weekly context matters more than the season line.

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RBBaltimore Ravens#7

Derrick Henry

PPG

16.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,595

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

150

Bye

Week 7

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

Derrick Henry

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

16.0 PPG16.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 7Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Derrick Henry: Tier 2 (Strong Starter) RB (ranked #7 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Derrick Henry is producing at 73% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means Derrick Henry carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Derrick Henry vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

Derrick Henry (16.0 PPG) and Joe Mixon (16.5 PPG) produced nearly identical fantasy numbers in 2025. When two running backs are this close on a per-game basis, the weekly matchup matters more than the season-long resume. Derrick Henry played 17 games for the Baltimore Ravens; Joe Mixon suited up 15 times for the Houston Texans.

A 0.5-point per-game gap over a full season is essentially noise. It means one extra catch, one fewer target, or a single broken play away from flipping the script. For a weekly start/sit call between these two, matchup analysis matters far more than the season line.

Both profile as early-down workhorses. Derrick Henry ran for 1595 yards and 16 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.

Bye weeks matter for roster construction: Derrick Henry sits Week 7 while Joe Mixon is off Week 14. 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

Both are in a similar trade value range. A straight swap would be fair in most leagues, with the tiebreaker going to whichever manager values schedule or bye week more. Dynasty outlook: Derrick Henry (age 32, 9 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 Derrick Henry by a projected 9 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Derrick Henry played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Derrick Henry contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Derrick Henry scored 16 total touchdowns in 2025 (0.9 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▾

StatHenryMixon

PPG (Half-PPR)16.016.5

Games Played1715

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)272248

Rushing Yards1,5951,165

Rush Yds/Game93.877.7

Rushing TDs1611

Receptions1532

Receiving Yards150240

Targets210

Total TDs1612

Age32-

Experience9 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 7Week 14

Summary

The 2025 numbers favor Joe Mixon at 16.5 PPG, 0.5 points per game above Derrick Henry's 16.0. 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 Derrick Henry or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Derrick Henry's 16.0 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 Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Derrick Henry averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 17 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 0.5 points per game.

When are Derrick Henry and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

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

Is Derrick Henry or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Derrick Henry by 0.5 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.