Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

J.K. Dobbins 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 J.K. Dobbins by 5.5 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. J.K. Dobbins 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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RBDenver Broncos#25

J.K. Dobbins

PPG

11.0

Games

Rush Yds

772

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

J.K. Dobbins

Joe Mixon

Head to Head

11.0 PPG16.5 PPG

10 GP15 GP

Bye: Week 12Bye: Week 14

Fantasy Tiers

J.K. Dobbins: Tier 4 (Bench/Bye Fill) RB (ranked #25 at the position). Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, J.K. Dobbins is producing at 50% of elite pace and Joe Mixon at 75%. That ranking gap means J.K. Dobbins carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

J.K. Dobbins vs Joe Mixon: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between J.K. Dobbins and Joe Mixon is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Denver Broncos running back put up 11.0 PPG in 2025 over 10 games; Joe Mixon of the Houston Texans averaged 16.5 in 15. A 5.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 5.5 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. J.K. Dobbins ran for 772 yards and 4 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: J.K. Dobbins 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. J.K. Dobbins is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: J.K. Dobbins (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 J.K. Dobbins by a projected 94 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Joe Mixon played 15 games in 2025 compared to J.K. Dobbins's 10. 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▾

StatDobbinsMixon

PPG (Half-PPR)11.016.5

Games Played1015

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)110248

Rushing Yards7721,165

Rush Yds/Game77.277.7

Rushing TDs411

Receptions1132

Receiving Yards37240

Targets140

Total TDs412

Age27-

Experience5 yrs-

Bye WeekWeek 12Week 14

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 11.0 for J.K. Dobbins 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 J.K. Dobbins or Joe Mixon in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to J.K. Dobbins's 11.0 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 J.K. Dobbins and Joe Mixon average in 2025?▾

J.K. Dobbins averaged 11.0 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 10 games in 2025. Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 PPG over 15 games. That is a difference of 5.5 points per game.

When are J.K. Dobbins and Joe Mixon's bye weeks in 2026?▾

J.K. Dobbins (DEN) 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 J.K. Dobbins or Joe Mixon a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored J.K. Dobbins by 5.5 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.