Joe Mixon ranked among top 7 offensive rookie of the year candidates

The Cincinnati Bengals acquired some great talent in the NFL Draft and by many accounts, selected four first-round talents with their first four picks. The first two picks made by the team were wide receiver John Ross in Round 1 and running back Joe Mixon in Round 2. While Mixon fell to the second round, that was largely due to off-the-field baggage as his talent alone would have made him worthy of a top 10 draft selection. Analysts around the NFL are taking note of the Bengals’ selection of Mixon (for both the positives and negatives surrounding the pick) and are discussing Mixon as a potential candidate to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL.com analysts Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Lance Zierlein voted on the top players they believe have the potential to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2017. The formula they used including ranking five players each and gave first-place votes 50 points, second place votes 40 points, third place votes 30 points, fourth place votes 20 points and fifth place votes 10 points.

Mixon tied for fifth place with 30 points to make the list. The players ranked one to four are Leonard Fournette (Jaguars), Dalvin Cook (Vikings), Christian McCaffrey (Panthers) and Mike Williams (Chargers). Mixon tied for fifth place with Deshaun Watson (Texans) and Corey Davis (Titans).

5 (tied). Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Total points: 30
Highest ranking: 3rd
Lowest ranking: Unranked

In Mixon, Cincinnati added a potential every-down starter who has the size to run between the tackles as well as the speed and receiving skills to be a big problem for defenses in the passing game. He joins a Bengals backfield that includes Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard. Hill should be plenty motivated as he enters a contract year, while Bernard will be coming off a knee injury.

In college, Mixon recorded 2,027 rushing yards on 300 attempts (6.8 yards per carry average) and scored 17 touchdowns on the ground. He added to that with 65 catches for 894 yards and 9 touchdowns through the air during his two seasons at Oklahoma. Mixon is a complete player, an able pass-catcher and should be a great addition to the Bengals’ offense.

Mixon currently has 12/1 odds in Vegas to win OROY, per Bovada. We can only hope Mixon has a season worthy of rookie of the year honors.