With the No. 48 selection, the Cincinnati Bengals selected RB Joe Mixon. Now, it’s time to see how the college skills translate to the NFL.
If there was any doubt, it’s been confirmed. After striking a trade deal with the Minnesota Vikings to move down, the Bengals made it a reality. With the 48th selection, Joe Mixon was picked as the latest running back to wear the Orange and Black. For some fans, it will take an adjustment period to get used to seeing the Oklahoma Sooner in Cincinnati. But, his talent can’t be denied.
The skillful Mixon slid from the first round when teams decided to take him off their boards. The incident that tainted his position in the draft has been seen on video and will forever be tied to Mixon. But, over the past week, the woman who Mixon assaulted has talked with him and wants to move on with her life.
That said, it’s all about Joe. This pick wasn’t a curveball that slid into the strike zone. It was a fastball down the heart of the plate. The Bengals have shown tons of interest in Mixon and didn’t try to hide it. With his selection, the backfield will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard are currently handling the duties. But, with the addition of Mixon, the workload will definitely change.
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Now, the situation is more than clear. The Bengals have met with him and obviously like what they’ve seen beyond the football field. This is the moment when Marvin Lewis has to trust that his instincts are right. It’s about keeping a young man focused and grounded while honing his skills for battle in the AFC North and beyond.
The Joe Files
While at Oklahoma, Mixon was a beast. He ended his time as a Sooner with 2,027 yards and a 6.8 YPC average. He also snagged 65 passes for 894 yards. The doubters will say those numbers will never translate to the NFL. But, it’s about the offensive line. Rex Burkhead managed to average 4.6 YPC. That’s the magic number Ken Zampese is looking for this season.
"“I’ve been through a lot of situations after that and I learned a lot,” Mixon explained, via NFL.com. “I learned a lot about myself, I learned a lot about the character of me. I just grew up from the situation and moved fast and tried to move forward in a positive manner.”"
Lewis and the Bengals are ready to get him up to speed and prove he’s ready for the task.
"“We’ve done such a lot of work regarding Joe Mixon, throughout the entire process this year and based on all the time, all the research, we felt that we can continue to move forward.”"
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The learning curve will continue in Cincinnati. Lewis is building a team that has a chip on its shoulder. This selection shows that Lewis and the Bengals are willing to go high risk for big rewards. Hopefully, Joe Mixon can answer the call.