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Washington Redskins 2017 Draft Profiles: Joe Mixon, RB

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2017 Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins

By Gabe Ward
Baylor v Oklahoma Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images

Joe Mixon, RB
School: Oklahoma | Conference: BIG-12
College Experience: RS Sophomore | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-1 / 226 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd or 4th Round?
NFL Comparison: Le’Veon Bell

College Statistics

Player Overview

Joe Mixon will enter the NFL with obvious character concerns. During his redshirt freshman year, Mixon assaulted a woman at a restaurant. The video was released this past December and the debate of whether Mixon should have been allowed to play football afterward and the morality of it all will rage on certainly into his rookie year. Mixon has publically apologized and decided that after just two years playing with the Sooners that his next stop will be the NFL. The NFL in part is already doing damage control and Mixon will not be invited to the NFL combine. Where Mixon lands will be one of the more interesting points of this whole situation from a football perspective. There are many people who know a great deal about football that believe Joe Mixon is the best running back in an already loaded class that includes potential stars like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, and Christian McCaffery. What Mixon brings to the football field is awesome it will be interesting to see how his career develops and potentially how he develops as a young man after this.

Strengths

  • Human highlight reel. Mixon has some of the best vision and patience I’ve seen from a college player. He can see lanes almost before they develop has had developed the timing and patience to take advantage of them. There are so many negative plays he’s turned into positive gains with this skill.
  • Arguably the best receiving running back in the draft class. It’s been noted several times that Mixon could play WR if he wanted to. He has superb natural receiving skills.
  • Incredible feet displaying insane lateral quickness, balance, and agility. His jump cuts and little moves he puts on display are a thing of beauty. Elite elusiveness.
  • Great burst and natural speed though he typically follows his blocks into open space he also isn’t afraid to put his pads down and deliver a hit.
  • Can deploy a nasty stiff arm.

Weaknesses

  • Character concerns.
  • Sometimes his patience extends a half second too long and the well dries up.

Let’s see his work:

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

If you couldn’t tell I’m trying to keep things football related but not so much as to ignore the elephant in the room. If Mixon didn’t have his off the field issue he would be considered a 1st round talent. As far as the Redskins are concerned if drafted he could be the bell cow for the team for at least the next 4 years. I just remember one thing Scot McClougahn said when signed former Redskins cornerback Chris Culliver

Now whether one thinks, Joe Mixon is a “bad guy” has been and will be discussed ad nuaseum but from what McC has said in the past I can feel confident he won’t be putting on a Redskins uniform in April. It’s a genuine shame for all reasons but from a football standpoint, it is because of Mixon’s undeniable talent on the field. Some team will be getting a great talent at a discount rate I just don’t think the Redskins are the type of team to do it.

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