The Cincinnati Bengals drafted 11 players in the 2017 draft. Their second-round pick, Joe Mixon, was the best player on the offense from that class. Mixon started the season backing up Jeremy Hill, and ended the year as the Bengals’ leading rusher. The 48th overall pick finished with 178 carries for 626 yards and four touchdowns. He also caught 30 passes on 34 targets for 287 yards through 15 games.
Joe Mixon needs to improve to keep his starting job in 2018
The Bengals rookie rusher worked his way into the starting role last season. He looks to improve to keep his job next season.
Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images
Mixon shared the backfield duties with Giovani Bernard for a majority of the season, though he was the premier back with 73 more carries and 168 more rushing yards. Bernard did edge out Mixon in the passing game this season.
Looking ahead to 2018
Right now Mixon is the workhorse in Cincinnati. He needs to do better than 3.5 yards per carry to keep his job, however. Mixon will still get a lot of use in Bill Lazor’s offense. The Bengals like to run a two running backs in their backfield. They will probably get him some help on the offensive line in the 2018 draft as well. Mixon will improve drastically if the Bengals O-line can open lanes for him next season.
Fantasy Slant
Mixon had a roller coaster year and was very frustrating in fantasy. He had a handful of good games but he never managed to put a string of good games together. Owners will still keep Mixon in mind as a flex player next season. He will be available in the later rounds of the draft next year.
