Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Jaylen Warren 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. Jaylen Warren at 12.3 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Joe Mixon higher, but do not fade Jaylen Warren entirely.

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

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RBPittsburgh Steelers#18

Jaylen Warren

PPG

12.3

Games

Rush Yds

958

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

333

Bye

Week 5

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

Jaylen Warren

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

12.3 PPG16.5 PPG

16 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 5Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

Jaylen Warren: Tier 3 (Flex/Starter) RB (ranked #18 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Jaylen Warren is producing at 56% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means Jaylen Warren carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Jaylen Warren vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Jaylen Warren and Joe Mixon is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers running back put up 12.3 PPG in 2025 over 16 games; Joe Mixon of the Houston Texans averaged 16.5 in 15. A 4.2-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 4.2 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.

Jaylen Warren is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 40 targets into 333 yards, while Joe Mixon profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1165 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jaylen Warren carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Jaylen Warren is off Week 5 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. Jaylen Warren is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Jaylen Warren (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 Jaylen Warren by a projected 71 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jaylen Warren played 16 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Jaylen Warren 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.
•Jaylen Warren caught 40 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatWarrenMixon

PPG (Half-PPR)12.316.5

Games Played1615

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)197248

Rushing Yards9581,165

Rush Yds/Game59.977.7

Rushing TDs611

Receptions4032

Receiving Yards333240

Targets450

Total TDs812

Age27-

Experience3 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 5Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 12.3 for Jaylen Warren 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 Jaylen Warren or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Jaylen Warren's 12.3 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 Jaylen Warren and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

Jaylen Warren averaged 12.3 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 4.2 points per game.

When are Jaylen Warren and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Jaylen Warren (PIT) 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 Jaylen Warren or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Jaylen Warren by 4.2 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.