X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

Stop That Hype Train! - Joe Mixon

Joe Mixon was known just as much for his off-the-field problems as he was for his on-the-field awesomeness when he came out of college and made himself available for the NFL draft in April. Mixon’s brilliant but brief two-year college career at Oklahoma was overshadowed by a video of him punching a woman in the face and whispers about transgressions as far back as high school. This turned him in from being a first-rounder to a second-rounder when the draft rolled around.

The question is whether it will turn fantasy owners away from taking him in the early rounds of their drafts. Probably not, as fantasy owners never seem to be as worried about a player’s checkered past or dubious decisions as NFL owners and general managers are.

Mixon has gotten more pub this offseason and preseason than all of the Kardashians and Jenners combined. Once he was drafted by the Bengals and signed his contract, the chatter became less about his criminal history and more about his fantasy future. Many fantasy owners and experts believe Mixon can be a fantastic fantasy force and become the centerpiece of Cincinnati’s running attack. But guess what? These people could be wrong.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

Editor's note: Use our Week 1 rankings and tiers to set your winning lineups: PPR, Half PPR, Standard. Ranks Wizard

 

Mixon and the Bengals Offense: Could Work, Could Fail 

Last time I looked, Cincinnati was not starving for running backs in its backfield. Power runner Jeremy Hill has scored 30 touchdowns in three seasons and has been effective between the tackles, while speed merchant Giovani Bernard had three consecutive seasons with over 1,000 combined yards and would have had a fourth if a torn ACL did not prematurely end his 2016 campaign six games early. So while both Hill and Bernard may have had some questions hanging over them heading into the 2017 season, it was not as if when you watched Cincinnati play last season you easily assumed a top priority for them was upgrading the RB position.

Admittedly, Cincinnati’s offense has gotten as stale the past couple years as a candy corn from last Halloween. Run Hill inside. Run Bernard outside. Have Andy Dalton throw to A.J. Green whether or not he is double-covered or quadruple-covered. Look for Tyler Eifert inside the red zone (when Eifert is actually on the field and not in the hospital having surgery). This is how it’s been since 2014, and this needs to change in some way.

Mixon has all the talented tools a running back needs to be a stat stud. In two years as a Sooner superstar, Mixon showed that he does not need to be swapped out for a power back near the end zone (26 touchdowns), nor does he have to be subbed for on third downs in favor of a pass-catching specialist RB (65 receptions). And with 6.8 yards per carry and 13.8 yards per reception for his college career, Mixon has proven he is a perpetual threat for big gainers no matter where he is on the football field.

 

The Warning Signs are There... and They're Real

Here are the problems:  Mixon’s propensity for putting his fists where they do not belong and getting in trouble when he is not in a football uniform makes him a fantasy risk. Another off-the-field fiasco could make him the next Ray Rice. Fantasy owners have to take this into consideration when drafting their squads this week.

Plus with Hill and Bernard to contend with in Cincinnati’s crowded backfield, Mixon has to leapfrog both to become the team’s top tailback. Last time I looked, Hill is still considered the starter and is the better red-zone back, and Bernard is probably the better third-down option in the backfield because he has more experience and better pass-catching skills than Mixon. Mixon is going to need a few weeks of positive play before he fights his way to the top of the depth chart, and for the next few weeks will see limited action on obvious passing downs and near the goal line.

Fantasy football owners love to stick their flags into players they think will become the next fantasy franchise player, and rookie running backs normally are the first to get stuck. Just do not let all the hype surrounding Mixon make you draft him earlier than you should, because the color of the flag you should be sticking in him is red.

 

More Player Outlooks




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Duncan Robinson31 mins ago

Heat Rule Out Duncan Robinson Friday
Bryan Reynolds34 mins ago

In Opening Day Lineup
Jimmy Butler41 mins ago

Probable Against Portland
Onyeka Okongwu1 hour ago

Remains Out Thursday
Dejounte Murray1 hour ago

Questionable With Back Soreness
Jordan Romano2 hours ago

Not Expected To Be Out Long
Gerrit Cole2 hours ago

Yankees Put Gerrit Cole On 60-Day Injured List
Elly De La Cruz2 hours ago

Batting In Six-Hole On Opening Day
Anthony Rendon3 hours ago

Hitting Leadoff On Opening Day
Wander Franco3 hours ago

Placed On Administrative Leave
Aaron Ekblad3 hours ago

Returning To Panthers Lineup Thursday
Nikita Kucherov3 hours ago

Establishes New Career High With 42nd Goal
Shane Pinto3 hours ago

Collects Career-High Four Points
Valeri Nichushkin4 hours ago

Nursing A Lower-Body Injury
Samuel Girard4 hours ago

Battling An Illness
J.K. Dobbins4 hours ago

Visiting With Chargers On Thursday
Oskar Sundqvist4 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season With Torn ACL
Ethan Bear4 hours ago

Enters Player Assistance Program
Keita Bates-Diop4 hours ago

To Miss Rest Of Season
Dyson Daniels4 hours ago

Remains Out On Thursday But Nearing Return
LaMelo Ball4 hours ago

Ruled Out For Rest Of 2023-24
Jose Alvarado5 hours ago

Questionable To Face Milwaukee
Jaden Springer5 hours ago

Considered Questionable
Xavier Tillman5 hours ago

Sr. Questionable Thursday
Gabe Vincent5 hours ago

Expected To Return To Action On Sunday
Al Horford16 hours ago

Back On The Injury Report
Derrick White16 hours ago

Off The Injury Report
TJ Friedl17 hours ago

Hits 10-Day Injured List
Aaron Gordon17 hours ago

Cleared To Face Phoenix
Michael Porter17 hours ago

Jr. Good To Go Wednesday
Nikola Jokic17 hours ago

Playing Against Phoenix
Jackson Chourio17 hours ago

Will Start In Right Field Friday
Jrue Holiday17 hours ago

Might Return On Thursday
Khris Middleton18 hours ago

Expected To Play On Thursday Night
Joel Embiid18 hours ago

To Return Soon?
Jamal Murray18 hours ago

Out Again On Wednesday
Rudy Gobert19 hours ago

Ready To Rock Against Pistons
Eduardo Rodriguez19 hours ago

Starts Throwing Program
Garrett Mitchell19 hours ago

Will Miss 6-8 Weeks
Chad Green19 hours ago

To Lead Closer Committee In Toronto?
Erik Swanson19 hours ago

Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson Officially Heading To Injured List
Kevin Gausman19 hours ago

To Make Season Debut Sunday Or Monday
Gleyber Torres21 hours ago

Will Bat Leadoff On Opening Day
Mark Hubbard21 hours ago

Coming Off A Career Performance
Davis Thompson21 hours ago

Looking To Pay Off A Stellar Run Of Ball-Striking
Max Scherzer21 hours ago

Making Solid Progress
Akshay Bhatia21 hours ago

Coming Into Houston With Confidence
Thorbjorn Olesen21 hours ago

Still Trying To Find Footing On U.S. Soil
Patrick Rodgers21 hours ago

Fighting Inconsistencies Heading Into Houston
Malik Nabers22 hours ago

Shines At Pro Day
Carolina Panthers22 hours ago

Jadeveon Clowney Signing Two-Year Deal With Panthers
Jordan Lawlar23 hours ago

To Have Thumb Surgery, Out A Couple Months
Wyndham Clark23 hours ago

Battling Back Injury Ahead of Houston Open
San Francisco 49ers24 hours ago

Talanoa Hufanga Expected To Return At Training Camp
MLB24 hours ago

Braves And Phillies Rained Out On Thursday
Jayden Daniels24 hours ago

Raiders To Meet With Jayden Daniels
MLB24 hours ago

Mets And Brewers To Be Postponed Thursday
Tank Bigsby1 day ago

Jaguars Want Tank Bigsby More Involved
Will Smith1 day ago

Inks 10-Year Extension With Dodgers
Josh Reynolds1 day ago

Signs Two-Year Deal With Broncos
Jon Berti1 day ago

Yankees Acquire Jon Berti From Marlins
Kodai Senga1 day ago

Throws Wednesday
Doug Ghim1 day ago

Looks To Bounce Back At Houston Open
PGA1 day ago

Cameron Davis Seeking Consistency Ahead Of Houston Open
Thomas Detry1 day ago

A Gamble At Houston Open
Ryan Fox1 day ago

Lacks Upside Heading Into Houston Open
Andrew Novak1 day ago

Will Be Chalk At Houston Open
Josh Doan1 day ago

Scores Twice In His NHL Debut
Filip Forsberg1 day ago

Makes History In Big Comeback Win
Jamie Benn1 day ago

Scores In Fifth Consecutive Game
Sidney Crosby1 day ago

Collects Three Points Versus Carolina
Artemi Panarin1 day ago

Continues Scoring Tear With Three Assists
Joey Daccord1 day ago

Shuts Out Ducks
Sahith Theegala1 day ago

Showing Consistency This Season
Wyndham Clark1 day ago

Working Toward Star Status
Scottie Scheffler1 day ago

Heads To Houston At His Best
Sam Ryder1 day ago

Putting The Lights Out Of Late
Joel Dahmen1 day ago

All Systems Go For Joel Dahmen In Houston
Kurt Kitayama1 day ago

Ready For Houston Debut
Ben Griffin1 day ago

Finding Form Heading To Houston
Taylor Moore2 days ago

Continues Made-Cut Streak Heading To Houston
Adam Svensson2 days ago

Hoping For Consistency In Houston
Taylor Montgomery2 days ago

Looks To Bounce Back In Houston
Amon-Ra St. Brown2 days ago

Discussing Extension With Lions
Jared Goff2 days ago

Lions Discussing New Deal
J.K. Dobbins2 days ago

Cleared For Football Activities
Los Angeles Rams2 days ago

Tre'Davious White To Join Rams
PIT2 days ago

Sam Poulin Recalled From AHL
Jack Quinn2 days ago

Could Return Wednesday
Scott Mayfield2 days ago

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
TOR2 days ago

Mitch Marner Skates On His Own Tuesday
Trevor Zegras2 days ago

To Return Tuesday
Justus Annunen2 days ago

Inks Two-Year Extension
Nick Chubb2 days ago

Expected To Start Load Running Next Month
D'Andre Swift2 days ago

Bears View D'Andre Swift As Receiving Weapon
Cordarrelle Patterson2 days ago

Signing With Steelers
Sam Howell2 days ago

Seahawks Believe Sam Howell Can Be A Full-Time Starter
Tennessee Titans2 days ago

L'Jarius Sneed Agrees On Four-Year Contract With Titans
Dak Prescott2 days ago

No Indication A Deal Is Coming For Dak Prescott
Calvin Ridley2 days ago

To Have Big Role In Tennessee
Josh Jacobs2 days ago

To Be Used More In Passing Game
Brandon Saad2 days ago

Gets Another Goal In Monday's Loss
Logan Thompson2 days ago

Stretches Winning Streak To Three Games
Pittsburgh Steelers3 days ago

Cameron Heyward Expected To Be Healthy For Training Camp
Zach Wilson3 days ago

Jets Could End Up Keeping Zach Wilson
Amanda Ribas3 days ago

Takes Decision Loss
Rose Namajunas3 days ago

Snaps Losing Streak
Edmen Shahbazyan3 days ago

Scores Vicious Comeback Knockout
AJ Dobson3 days ago

Knocked Out In The First Round At UFC Vegas 89
Fernando Padilla3 days ago

Gets Back On Track With Submission Win
Luis Pajuelo3 days ago

Submitted In UFC Debut
William Byron3 days ago

Dominates For Victory At COTA
Ty Gibbs3 days ago

Grabs Another Solid Finish At COTA
Chris Buescher3 days ago

Texas Native Chris Buescher Finishes Eighth At COTA
Christopher Bell3 days ago

Kyle Busch Confronts Christopher Bell Following A Top-10 Finish At COTA
Justin Haley3 days ago

Disqualified After Strong COTA Run
Martin Truex Jr4 days ago

. Rounds Out Top Ten At COTA
NASCAR4 days ago

A.J. Allmendinger Worms Way Up To Sixth At COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Shane van Gisbergen Comes Down to Earth After Mediocre COTA Run
Ross Chastain4 days ago

Ran Well at COTA as Usual Despite Late-Race Fade
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Furious Charge Falls Just Short at COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

Scores Strong Finish of Fifth at COTA
Chase Elliott4 days ago

Finishes 16th at COTA After Lackluster Performance
Billy Quarantillo4 days ago

Suffers Submission Loss At UFC Vegas 89
Youssef Zalal4 days ago

Gets Submission Win In Return To The UFC
Cameron Saaiman4 days ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 89
Payton Talbott4 days ago

Scores KO Win At UFC Vegas 89
Justin Tafa4 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Karl Williams4 days ago

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
Kyle Larson4 days ago

Is One Of The Optimal DFS Options For COTA
Denny Hamlin4 days ago

Should Denny Hamlin Be Rostered For DFS Lineups At COTA?
Kaz Grala4 days ago

Is A Serviceable DFS Play For COTA
Shane Van Gisbergen4 days ago

Will Start 12th In First COTA Cup Start
Todd Gilliland4 days ago

Is A Sneaky DFS Play With Upside For COTA
William Byron4 days ago

Is One Of The Top Favorites To Win At COTA
Christopher Bell4 days ago

Is A Comfortable DFS Play For COTA
Tyler Reddick4 days ago

the Favorite to Win at COTA
Ty Gibbs4 days ago

Looking for First Career Win at COTA
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF