Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 8.5 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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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RBWashington Commanders#40

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

805

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

Bye

Week 12

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

Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

8.0 PPG16.5 PPG

17 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jacory Croskey-Merritt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #40 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is producing at 36% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

There is a real production gap between these two running backs. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games in 2025, outscoring Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders, 8.0 PPG) by 8.5 points per week. That separation would need a significant matchup swing to overcome.

The per-game difference of 8.5 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. Jacory Croskey-Merritt ran for 805 yards and 8 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.

One scheduling note: Jacory Croskey-Merritt is off Week 12 and Joe Mixon Week 14. If these two are on your roster, you will need a fill-in running back for both weeks. DraftCall flags bye conflicts so you can plan ahead rather than panic on waivers.

Trade Value + Dynasty Outlook

Joe Mixon is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jacory Croskey-Merritt (age 25) has not yet hit the RB cliff. High dynasty ceiling if volume holds. Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Joe Mixon outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by a projected 145 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jacory Croskey-Merritt played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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▾

StatCroskey-MerrittMixon

PPG (Half-PPR)8.016.5

Games Played1715

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)136248

Rushing Yards8051,165

Rush Yds/Game47.477.7

Rushing TDs811

Receptions932

Receiving Yards68240

Targets130

Total TDs812

Age25-

Bye WeekWeek 12Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 8.0 for Jacory Croskey-Merritt 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Jacory Croskey-Merritt's 8.0 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 Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt averaged 8.0 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 8.5 points per game.

When are Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS) has a bye in Week 12, and Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Jacory Croskey-Merritt or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Jacory Croskey-Merritt by 8.5 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.