2. Joe Mixon
After appearing in just six games last year, Joe Mixon has bounced back in a big way in 2021. The former third-round pick has rushed for over 1,000 yards for the third time in four years and has 12 touchdowns to his name. He’s been a force in the Bengals’ offensive game plan.
The problem for Mixon, however, is that Jonathan Taylor is also in the AFC and he’s going to be a shoo-in to make the Pro Bowl considering what he’s done for the Colts. Taylor is the prime reason for Indianapolis to currently be in the playoff picture and as good as Mixon has been, he’s not the only reason Cincinnati is a playoff team as of this writing.
Be that as it may, multiple running backs make it from each conference and there’s no debating that Mixon is one of the best running backs in the AFC. As of now, he’s second in the entire league in rushing yards, sitting only behind Taylor.
This should be enough to get Mixon a Pro Bowl invite but it’s also possible that guys like Nick Chubb and Javonte Williams pass him on the ballot due to popularity. Mixon is deserving of a Pro Bowl spot but that doesn’t always mean anything considering it’s a fan vote.