If he can stay on the field, Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon has a chance to pop up on best in the NFL lists at his position.
But that’s tricky coming out of his 2020 season.
As such, Mixon doesn’t crack the list of 11 best running backs in the NFL by Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar. That list, with Tennessee’s Derrick Henry understandably at No. 1, contains some expected and unexpected names.
Mixon only got in six games last year, averaging just 3.6 yards per carry and catching 21 passes. It was a far cry from his consecutive 1,100-yard seasons the two years prior, where he flashed league-best potential despite poor surroundings.
Looking ahead, Mixon appears slotted for even more work than usual on third downs and in the passing game in 2021. If he can stay healthy, he shouldn’t have a problem cracking similar lists after next season.
But that’s just sort of how the running back position goes, right? Saquon Barkley in New York is one of the NFL’s best backs, but he didn’t make the list either after missing most of last season.
If Mixon’s on the field in an improved offense next year, he’s a favorite to make a return, too.
