Cincinnati Bengals second-year running back Joe Mixon will be the lead back in 2018. How much will he be involved in the offense in his second season?
The Cincinnati Bengals drafted running back Joe Mixon in the second-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Many fans thought that he would be the starting running back last year, or at least see more playing time than he did, but Mixon was just a part of the Bengals three running back system. Rushing for 626 yards and four touchdowns in 14 games, Mixon only failed to reach 40 percent of the teams offensive snaps last season.
Following Jeremy Hill leaving for New England, Mixon is the starting running back coming into 2018. He will likely have a significant role in the Bengals new offense under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, and fans will get to see what he can do. According to Lazor, we should see Mixon play in more situations come 2018.
"“When you’re a rookie back and being part of a backfield that had as many as three guys playing, some of the more intricate things went to the veterans because there are only so many reps. Then you get to a point, ‘This guy should be able to do it all.’ Whether it’s a multitude of runs, different specialty plays, the passing game, protections, running routes. If you’re as talented as we thought when we brought you in here and you’re a smart guy, let’s do it all. Let’s have all that stuff in the toolbox … I’m really excited for him.”"
Last season Giovani Bernard saw most of the passing down snaps for the Bengals offense, but it looks as if Lazor wants to get Mixon more involved there in 2018. Cincinnati wants to turn Mixon into an all-around running back instead of specific roles. With Jeremy Hill gone, we should also see more chances for Mixon in goal-line situations.
Been hearing a lot inside PBS about Joe Mixon taking a giant step forward.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) June 13, 2018
Bill Lazor was really good on him today and challenging Mixon this offseason to be a "complete back." @fox19 #Bengals pic.twitter.com/SRDjeL3dvL
That doesn’t mean that Bernard won’t get his fair share of touches. Bernard played well for the Bengals offense last season coming back from an ACL tear the season before. He averaged 4.4 yards per carry and was active in the passing game with 43 catches for 389 yards and two touchdowns. Mixon will see more time in the Bengals offense this season and Bernard will be a great complimentary back.
While last season Bernard saw the most snaps with the offense, Mixon will take that role this season while Bernard will likely get the 40 percent like what Mixon had last season. There is also fourth-round running back Mark Walton that will get a couple of snaps here and there as well. I fully expect Lazor to get all three guys involved in the offense this year.
With the additions to the offensive line like coach Frank Pollack and players Cordy Glenn and Billy Price, the run game should have a better chance to get going this season as well. Cincinnati ranked 29th in the league for rushing attempts in 2017, and most of that was due to a weak offensive line production. Mixon and the running backs, in general, should see a bigger load of carries in 2018 behind the better offensive line.
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Regardless, Lazor plans to utilize Mixon in all aspects of the offense whether that be running the ball or catching out of the backfield. We will finally get to see what Mixon can do with a full workload and more opportunities. It will give fans a chance to see why he was one of the best running back prospects coming out of last years draft.