5 current Bengals with the best Hall of Fame chances

Joe Mixon must reach 10,000 career rushing yards to even be considered for the Hall. Improving his year-to-year production would also help but his current mark of 4,564 yards is impressive – considering he’s only started 57 games in his five seasons. If he can reach the 10,000-yard threshold, he might have one hell of an argument.

Mixon is averaging 103.2 yards per scrimmage in every game he’s started. That’s more than the following players: Emmitt Smith, Frank Gore, Adrian Peterson, Thurman Thomas, Franco Harris, and Jerome Bettis.

That’s five Hall of Fame RBs and a very soon-to-be Cantonian in Frank Gore. If Mixon can stay healthy, he might not need to elevate his year-to-year performance above 103 yds/game to make the Hall. He can copy the aforementioned Franco Harris.

Harris never led the league in rushing but was a part of four Super Bowl Champions. He was the reliable engine for the Steelers’ run game in the ’70s. Never had the Ladanian Tomlinson, Barry Sanders peaks – but helped define the hard-nosed attitude of a dynasty.

His nine Pro Bowls and an All-Pro definitely helped – but memorable plays in memorable games on memorable teams always help cases for enshrinement.

Harris had the immaculate reception – Mixon had a touchdown pass in a Super Bowl.

It’s still a long way to go for Mix, but if this offense is “the hottest thing smoking” as he said this offseason. Those accolades will start to pile up.