Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Kareem Hunt

Thursday, February 5, 8:40 AM

Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said on Thursday that running back Joe Mixon (foot, ankle) will attempt to play in 2026, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. "Joe (Mixon) worked really hard to get himself ready. He's committed to trying to be able to play football this year. We'll see if he's physically able to do it or not. It's a little bit of a moving target," Caserio said. The GM said late last month that Mixon's foot/ankle injury last year was a "freak thing" that ended up keeping him out all year. The 29-year-old will attempt to play in 2026, but Caserio admits that it's no sure thing. Mixon has one year left on the three-year, $25.5 contract restructure that he signed in March of 2024, and the Texans can clear $8 million in salary cap space this year by cutting him. Even if Mixon sticks on Houston's roster, they could add to the RB position after Woody Marks took over as the primary back in 2025.

Thursday, February 12, 8:56 AM

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has enjoyed a career resurgence over his last two years with the team. In 2025, he appeared in all 17 games, rushing for 611 yards and eight touchdowns while sharing the backfield with Isiah Pacheco. The veteran running back also added 143 receiving yards and a receiving touchdown, and he finished the year as the overall RB31 in full-PPR leagues. Hunt now has 1,658 scrimmage yards over his last two seasons, as well as a whopping 25 touchdowns over his last three seasons. Hunt, an impending free agent, will be 31 years old when the 2026 season gets underway. His efficiency has tailed off, and he's no longer a workhorse back. However, he has shown that he can continue to be a scoring threat while contributing as both a ball-carrier and a pass-catcher. We wouldn't be surprised to see Hunt re-sign with the Chiefs, but no matter where he ends up, he could sneak into the top 36 running backs for fantasy football drafts. His dynasty outlook isn't quite as favorable, though, as he's definitely in the final stages of his career.