Joe Mixon is the starting running back for the Cincinnati Bengals. Mixon got off to a rough start off the field in his college career at the University of Oklahoma. After serving a suspension for an assault charge during the 2014 season, he popped off for a record-setting 76-yard touchdown reception. He continued to flash speed and pass-catching ability through two college seasons, totaliTg 2,921 scrimmage yards and 26 total touchdowns in 25 games (9 starts). His yards per catch and Target Share in college rank in the 89th- and 88th- percentiles, respectively, among NFL running backs.
Mixon decided to forgo two years of college eligibility to enter the 2017 NFL draft, when he was selected in the second round (2.16) by the Bengals, ahead of Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, James Conner and Aaron Jones. His workout metrics unsurprisingly stood out as his 40-time and Speed Score ranked in the 78th- and 93rd-percentiles, respectively.
The former Sooner had a bumpy ride in the NFL coming into the 2021 season. He surpassed 1,000 yards in two of his first three seasons. However, soon after signing a four-year, $48 million contract extension with Cincinnati in September 2020, he suffered a season-ending mid-foot sprain which caused him to miss 10 games. In the 2021 season, Mixon pieced it all together. He opened the season with a 127-yard, one-touchdown performance in Week 1 and his 13 rushing touchdowns were the most for a Bengal since 1988 and his Pro Bowl selection was the franchise's first since 2004. With health and an explosive offense by his side, he finished the '21 fantasy season as the PPR RB4. His 770 yards created ranked No. 8. He was also No. 7 with 76 Evaded Tackles, No. 5 with a 53.6-percent Route Participation rate and No. 5 with 50 red zone touches.
2022 was a big year for Mixon as he finished No. 7 in fantasy points per game among running backs, as he tacked on 60 receptions. Mixon did run into a legal issue with the firing of a gun outside of his home, but there was not enough evidence for him to be forced off the field during the 2023 season. The Bengals brought in Chase Brown in the Draft, but at this time, it looks as if Mixon will dominate the Cincinnati backfield for 2023.
