Dynasty Faceoff: Austin Ekeler vs. Joe Mixon

For the avid dynasty football fan, there literally is no offseason. This brings time to evaluate rosters, consider and make trades, dig in on the draft prep and get ready for the rookie drafts happening in late spring and into summer. Many dynasty managers would argue that the offseason is even more fun than the regular season is, which may be true. With so many players and roster decisions to consider, we will be breaking down some players with similar value and ADP. Check this one out in Dynasty Faceoff: Austin Ekeler vs. Joe Mixon.

Which side do you fall on in these popular player debates for 2022 and beyond? Let us know in the comments or on social media which side you are taking and why.

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Austin Ekeler – Los Angeles Chargers

26 Years Old. DOB: May 17, 1995

I do not think you can go wrong with either back here, but give me Austin Ekeler. Both have great, young quarterbacks and good offenses that allow for massive upside. However, the safety you have in Ekeler’s elite passing game volume puts him ahead for me. Over the last three seasons, Ekeler has averaged 72 receptions per season, while Mixon’s best season is just 43 receptions. Both are elite backs, but give me the PPR monster that has a bigger floor/ceiling combination. – Tyler Posey @CoachTPosey

These players are very close to me and you can argue on either side hence the “Faceoff”. I’m taking Ekeler in PPR leagues, but in all other formats give me Mixon. Both play on very good offenses but Mixon should get more carries than Ekeler as he did last season. Mixon is younger as well. I believe that Mixon will get the majority of goal-line carries and should have more rushing touchdowns. – Steve Stoughton @sstoughton77

There is no denying that both of these backs are in the prime of their career, coming off career-best seasons. While Mixon is a year younger than Ekeler, my choice is with Ekeler for a few reasons. Since entering the league in 2017, Ekeler has averaged 71 targets per year making him a PPR machine when healthy. Additionally, Ekeler has not had the “tread” that other bell-cow backs have had, as he has only averaged 121 carries per year. Mixon has averaged significantly fewer targets per year at 41, and a near DOUBLE the carries per year at 221. While Mixon posted career numbers in 2021, I cannot be certain that the consistency stays. In PPR, targets are king and Ekeler is as consistent as they come when it comes to targets. Give me Ekeler in PPR dynasty leagues. – Ralph Martinez @LobosFFDen

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Joe Mixon – Cincinnati Bengals

25 Years Old. DOB: July 24, 1996

The oft-injured running back, Joe Mixon finally put it all together in 2021. Coming off as the #4 back in carries (292) with 1,205 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, Mixon has proven to be in that elite tier of running backs. All this behind an offensive line that gave up the most sacks in the NFL to Joe Burrow. A bolstered offensive line should push the uber-talented running back to not only lead the league in carries but up to the next level, finishing as the #1 running back and leading many teams to fantasy championships. Yep, you heard it here first. Mixon absolutely has the chance to lead the league in carries next year. – Ryan Miner @RyanMiner_FFB

Two backs with the potential to finish 2022 as top-five running backs in fantasy. How is one supposed to choose? You really can’t go wrong with either, but I’m giving the edge to Mixon. As part of the powerful, young Cincinnati offense, Mixon is the veteran in the clubhouse and the most reliable ball carrier on this team. In 2021, he set career bests in carries, rushing yards, receiving yards, and rushing touchdowns during the Bengals’ run to the Super Bowl. Mixon hasn’t been over-used, is younger than Ekeler, and has the more established offensive line. He gets my vote. – Benjamin Ditlevson @FFRabbitDad

For what it’s worth, I have these two very close in my dynasty rankings with Mixon as my RB8 and Ekeler as my RB9. Both are talented, involved in the passing game, and have some great quarterbacks for fantasy purposes. I still believe that Mixon is arguably a top-five running back in the NFL, strictly from a talent perspective. I think that Burrow and this offense are going to be electric and great for fantasy purposes for years to come, and Mixon will continue to be leaned on heavily year in and year out. Mixon is 25, turning 26 in July while Ekeler turns 27 in May. They’re close and have similar upside for fantasy purposes, but the extra year gives him the edge for me. – Aaron Schill @aaron_schill

Let me start by saying these guys are pretty much back-to-back for me in dynasty rankings, so there isn’t a huge difference for me. But if I had to pick, I am going Mixon. He is a little over a year younger than Ekeler and possesses the size needed to last in the NFL at 6’1 225 as opposed to Ekeler’s 5’9 frame. The Chargers have looked and failed and trying to add a complementary runner to take a little wear and tear off Ekeler and I have a feeling they add a more legitimate back either through free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft to replace the disappointing Jackson/Kelley duo. Mixon on the other hand doesn’t have an ounce of competition on the roster and should be locked into all the work he can handle. – Brandon Hamer @doublehfantasy1

Avoiding Them Both?

When asked “Ekeler or Mixon?”, my response is “probably neither.” Both Ekeler and Mixon have extensive injury histories. Mixon’s recurring foot/ankle sprains on his right foot raise concerns as it has affected him three times in the past two years. Ekeler dealt with issues with his hip, hamstring, and ankle last year, although, he was able to play through most of it. Ekeler and Mixon are not young by any means as far as running backs go anymore. Ekeler, 26 years old, is Mixon’s senior by just one year. However, both are entering their sixth NFL season. In these five years, Mixon has amassed 381 more touches than Ekeler but with less fantasy success. Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the historical precedent of undrafted free agent (UDFA) running backs struggling to maintain peak outcomes (It’s not pretty). Ekeler’s usage in the passing game puts him ever so slightly over Mixon in PPR dynasty leagues but I would be much more inclined to move off of either of these guys for the younger backs in the same tier, such as D’Andre Swift, Najee Harris, or Antonio Gibson. – Seth Keller @FFtheathomedad

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