Joe Mixon among top running backs in Madden 21 ratings

Joe Mixon is starting to get more and more respect around the NFL, including its virtual world of Madden 21.

The latest edition of NFL’s premier football game features Mixon as one of the league’s top 10 running backs. He came in a tie with the Giants’ Saquon Barkley as the seventh-best back. He was recently ranked by ESPN as the NFL’s eighth-best back.

In terms of the AFC, which Mixon led in rushing yards during the 2018 season, he’s the third-best one, trailing only the Titans’ Derrick Henry and the Browns’ Nick Chubb.

Mixon is primed for his best year yet in what could be a contract season for the fourth-year pro. If a deal doesn’t get done before the season begins, that’s just more added motivation for Mixon to have a career year that could lead to a career payday in 2021.

Also, the offensive line should be improved with the addition of former top-10 pick Jonah Williams, not to mention the potential for young guys like Billy Price, Michael Jordan and Fred Johnson to make big leaps this year.

Then you’ve got a dynamic group of receivers that should spread defenses out and prevent stacked boxed like Mixon has frequently faced over his first three seasons.

But most importantly, Joe Burrow is here, and he should quickly become the best quarterback Mixon has had in the NFL. All of this should make for a dramatically improved offense that Mixon has a chance to be the featured weapon in.