Head to Head

Updated May 14, 2026 from live stats

Joe Mixon vs Kareem Hunt

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 Kareem Hunt by 8.5 PPG in 2025 with 12 total touchdowns. If both are on your board, Joe Mixon is the clear pick. Kareem Hunt 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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RBHouston Texans#99PPG LEADER

Joe Mixon

PPG

16.5

Games

Rush Yds

1,165

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

240

Bye

Week 14

RBKansas City Chiefs#39

Kareem Hunt

PPG

8.0

Games

Rush Yds

611

Rush TDs

Rec

Rec Yds

143

Bye

Week 10

The Edge Chart

Joe Mixon

Kareem Hunt

Head to Head

16.5 PPG8.0 PPG

15 GP17 GP

Bye: Week 14Bye: Week 10

Fantasy Tiers

Joe Mixon: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #99 at the position). Kareem Hunt: Tier 5 (Deep League) RB (ranked #39 at the position). Among the top 50 running backs this season, Joe Mixon is producing at 75% of elite pace and Kareem Hunt at 36%. That ranking gap means Kareem Hunt carries more trade value and a higher draft cost in 2026.

Joe Mixon vs Kareem Hunt: 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 Kareem Hunt (Kansas City Chiefs, 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. Joe Mixon ran for 1165 yards and 11 touchdowns; Kareem Hunt posted 611 and 8. 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: Joe Mixon is off Week 14 and Kareem Hunt Week 10. 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. Kareem Hunt 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. Kareem Hunt (age 30, 8 years) is past the typical RB peak. Redraft value exceeds dynasty value.

Did You Know?

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

StatMixonHunt

PPG (Half-PPR)16.58.0

Games Played1517

Total Fantasy Pts (est.)248136

Rushing Yards1,165611

Rush Yds/Game77.735.9

Rushing TDs118

Receptions3218

Receiving Yards240143

Targets025

Total TDs129

Age-30

Experience-8 yrs

Bye WeekWeek 14Week 10

Summary

16.5 PPG for Joe Mixon versus 8.0 for Kareem Hunt 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 Joe Mixon or Kareem Hunt in fantasy football?▾

Based on 2025 season averages, Joe Mixon has the edge at 16.5 PPG compared to Kareem Hunt'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 Joe Mixon and Kareem Hunt average in 2025?▾

Joe Mixon averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game (half-PPR) across 15 games in 2025. Kareem Hunt averaged 8.0 PPG over 17 games. That is a difference of 8.5 points per game.

When are Joe Mixon and Kareem Hunt's bye weeks in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon (HOU) has a bye in Week 14, and Kareem Hunt (KC) has a bye in Week 10. Plan your roster accordingly if you are carrying both players.

Is Joe Mixon or Kareem Hunt a better fantasy running back in 2026?▾

Joe Mixon outscored Kareem Hunt 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.