Polarizing Players: Joe Mixon

Jim Coventry analyzes whether Joe Mixon should be a first-round pick in fantasy drafts this season. The verdict? Read and find out.
Polarizing Players: Joe Mixon
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After finishing as a top-4 running back last year, Joe Mixon's being selected in the top 8 at his position this seaosn. A consensus second-round pick the last few years, is he worth a first-round pick in 12-team leagues this year?

Upside 

With the Bengals' offense becoming an elite unit last year, Mixon set career highs in rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns. He was incredible in scoring range, as he had 12 touchdowns Weeks 8-12, which included four consecutive games with two scores. With an upgraded offensive line, he could build on his 2021 production, even if he sees slightly less volume. He's also been durable, playing at least 14 games in four of five seasons, and at 25, he's still in his prime. It wouldn't be a surprise if Mixon finished as a top-3 running back again. 

Downside

After Mixon had an incredible eight-week run that ended in Week 12, the Bengals turned into a pass-first team. As a result, he failed to reach 20 carries in any remaining game, and in the last five games, he failed to surpass 65 rushing yards while posting just 3.3 yards per carry. During the season, his biggest games came when he received at least 28 carries; it's possible he doesn't get that much use in many games this season. If Joe Burrow remains the focal point of the offense, Mixon is likely to perform as a top-12 running back, making him more of a second-round pick.

The Verdict

There's

After finishing as a top-4 running back last year, Joe Mixon's being selected in the top 8 at his position this seaosn. A consensus second-round pick the last few years, is he worth a first-round pick in 12-team leagues this year?

Upside 

With the Bengals' offense becoming an elite unit last year, Mixon set career highs in rushing yards, receiving yards and touchdowns. He was incredible in scoring range, as he had 12 touchdowns Weeks 8-12, which included four consecutive games with two scores. With an upgraded offensive line, he could build on his 2021 production, even if he sees slightly less volume. He's also been durable, playing at least 14 games in four of five seasons, and at 25, he's still in his prime. It wouldn't be a surprise if Mixon finished as a top-3 running back again. 

Downside

After Mixon had an incredible eight-week run that ended in Week 12, the Bengals turned into a pass-first team. As a result, he failed to reach 20 carries in any remaining game, and in the last five games, he failed to surpass 65 rushing yards while posting just 3.3 yards per carry. During the season, his biggest games came when he received at least 28 carries; it's possible he doesn't get that much use in many games this season. If Joe Burrow remains the focal point of the offense, Mixon is likely to perform as a top-12 running back, making him more of a second-round pick.

The Verdict

There's no denying Mixon's production last year, and that the Bengals' offense will continue to improve. However, his late-season use seems to be a trend that will continue, and that is enough for me to view him as a value outside the top-14 picks.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Coventry was a finalist for the FSWA football writer of the year in 2022. He started playing fantasy football in 1994 and won a national contest in 1996. He also nabbed five top-50 finishes in national contests from 2008 to 2012 before turning his attention to DFS. He's been an industry analyst since 2007, though he joined RotoWire in 2016. A published author, Coventry wrote a book about relationships, "The Secret of Life", in 2013.
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