Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Jonathan Taylor

Fantasy Football Comparison for the 2026 NFL Season

The Bottom Line

Jonathan Taylor is the better fantasy play this season.

Jonathan Taylor is the better play on a neutral week. 20.0 PPG with 1,963 yards gives a reliable baseline. Joe Mixon at 16.5 PPG is not far behind and could win specific weeks where matchup and game script align. Draft Jonathan Taylor higher, but do not fade Joe Mixon entirely.

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

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RBHouston Texans#99

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

RBIndianapolis Colts#2PPG LEADER

Jonathan Taylor

PPG

20.0

Games

Rush Yds

1,585

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

378

Bye

Week 11

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Jonathan Taylor

Head to Head

16.5 PPG20.0 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 11

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Jonathan Taylor: Tier 1 (Elite) RB (ranked #2 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Joe Mixon is producing at 75% of elite pace and Jonathan Taylor at 91%. That ranking gap means Jonathan Taylor carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Mixon vs Jonathan Taylor: Who Should You Start?

Deciding between Joe Mixon and Jonathan Taylor is a common lineup dilemma for fantasy managers. The Houston Texans running back put up 16.5 PPG in 2025 over 15 games; Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts averaged 20.0 in 17. A 3.5-point margin that could shift on any given week.

The per-game difference of 3.5 points favors Jonathan Taylor, 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.

Jonathan Taylor is the receiving back in this matchup, turning 46 targets into 378 yards, while Joe Mixon profiles as a more traditional rusher with 1165 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. In PPR and half-PPR formats Jonathan Taylor carries the higher weekly floor. In standard leagues the gap tightens considerably.

One scheduling note: Joe Mixon is off Week 14 and Jonathan Taylor Week 11. 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

Jonathan Taylor is a buy in trades where the other manager is chasing upside at a different position. Joe Mixon is a hold unless you can flip him for a positional upgrade elsewhere on your roster. Dynasty outlook: Joe Mixon (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open. Jonathan Taylor (age 27) is approaching the age where RB production historically drops. Sell-high window is open.

Did You Know?

•Jonathan Taylor outscored Joe Mixon by a projected 60 total fantasy points over a full 17-game season.
•Jonathan Taylor played 17 games in 2025 compared to Joe Mixon's 15. That durability gap means Jonathan Taylor contributed more total fantasy points even before you look at per-game averages.
•Jonathan Taylor scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025 (1.2 per game), making him one of the more reliable scoring options at running back.
•Jonathan Taylor caught 46 passes in 2025. Pass-catching backs average 2-3 more PPG in half-PPR than their non-receiving counterparts.

Detailed Stat Breakdown▾

StatMixonTaylor

PPG (Half-PPR)16.520.0

Games Played1517

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)248340

Rushing Yards1,1651,585

Rush Yds/Game77.793.2

Rushing TDs1118

Receptions3246

Receiving Yards240378

Targets055

Total TDs1220

Age-27

Experience-5 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 11

Summary

20.0 PPG for Jonathan Taylor versus 16.5 for Joe Mixon in 2025. The baseline favors Jonathan Taylor, 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 Joe Mixon or Jonathan Taylor in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Jonathan Taylor has the edge at 20.0 PPG compared to Joe Mixon's 16.5 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 Joe Mixon and Jonathan Taylor average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Jonathan Taylor averaged 20.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 3.5 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Jonathan Taylor's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Jonathan Taylor (IND) has a bye in Week 11. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Mixon or Jonathan Taylor a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Jonathan Taylor outscored Joe Mixon by 3.5 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.