Longtime Cincinnati Bengals, now Houston Texans RB Joe Mixon was one of many players who changed teams during NFL free agency. Following three straight RB1 seasons, can Mixon continue being a top fantasy football running back on his new team? Where does his dynasty value stand heading into the 2024 offseason?
Joe Mixon Dynasty Outlook
The most difficult players to evaluate in dynasty are the ones who look exactly like Mixon. That is, older running backs who are not in their prime anymore but remain productive.
Joe Mixon on fourth down with the SECOND EFFORT 😱
Tie game in Cincinnati❕#RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/cEF9t7iQfI
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 16, 2023
Mixon is now entering his eighth year in the league. He has been a relevant fantasy asset every year of his career. If he remains so in 2024, he will be the first running back drafted after the year 2010 to have eight years of fantasy-relevant production.
Mixon has never been an elite fantasy asset. He’s posted four RB1 seasons in his career but never topped 18.0 fantasy points per game. Of course, those are great fantasy numbers, but it felt like he would ascend to being a 20-points-per-game guy. He never did. Suffice to say, it’s not going to happen now.
Outside of a freak injury in 2020, Mixon has been quite durable throughout his career. He missed 10 games in 2020 but has only missed seven games in his other seven seasons.
Mixon played in all 17 games in 2023. Even at 28 years old, I am not concerned about Mixon’s health. What I am concerned about is his efficiency.
Mixon averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game last season. He was well worth his draft slot in redraft leagues. However, it was some of the least exciting RB1 production you can get.
MORE: 2024 Dynasty ROOKIE Rankings
For the first six weeks, Mixon did not reach 20 fantasy points in a single game. And while scoring 20 fantasy points in a given week is nothing to scoff at, it would be nice to see some sort of upside. Instead, Mixon had just two games over 21 fantasy points, and one of them came in Week 18, which does nothing for us.
Mixon averaged 4.6 yards per touch, 36th in the league. Just 3.1% of his carries went for 15+ yards, 41st in the league. His 3.2 yards created per touch ranked 35th in the NFL. By no means was Mixon bad, but it’s hard to pinpoint anything about his performance to get excited about.
Mixon’s Dynasty Ranking
Where does Mixon sit in the dynasty RB landscape after reading to the Texans? Here are Katz’s latest rankings, featuring where Mixon lands in comparison to other top names at the position.
1) Breece Hall | NYJ
2) Bijan Robinson | ATL
3) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
4) Christian McCaffrey | SF
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) De’Von Achane | MIA
7) Saquon Barkley | PHI
8) Josh Jacobs | GB
9) Travis Etienne Jr. | JAX
10) Rachaad White | TB
11) Kyren Williams | LAR
12) Isiah Pacheco | KC
13) Kenneth Walker III | SEA
14) James Cook | BUF
15) D’Andre Swift | CHI
16) Javonte Williams | DEN
17) Brian Robinson Jr. | WAS
18) Derrick Henry | BAL
19) Tony Pollard | TEN
20) David Montgomery | DET
21) Rhamondre Stevenson | NE
22) Joe Mixon | HOU
23) Alvin Kamara | NO
24) Najee Harris | PIT
25) Jaylen Warren | PIT
Should You Trade Mixon in Dynasty?
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Before free agency, there was a bit of uncertainty surrounding Mixon’s future. Regardless of whether or not you thought the Bengals would cut Mixon, you probably agreed that, at most, 2024 would be his last year on the Bengals. Now, we have certainty … or as much as we can have.
The Texans traded next to nothing to acquire Mixon, which, in theory, makes him expendable. However, they immediately gave him a three-year extension. It’s pretty clear they believe Mixon can be their RB1 for at least another couple of years. If Mixon does end up hitting free agency before his contract up, that means his time as a productive NFL running back is most likely up.
Fortunately, we don’t really have any reason to think Mixon will be any worse than he was last season. In Houston, there is no incumbent. Devin Singletary is now a member of the New York Giants, and Dameon Pierce appears to be on his way out of the league. It remains to be seen whether the Texans will utilize Mixon in the passing game or pull him in favor of Dare Ogunbowale or someone else.
Mixon just needs to continue averaging around 4.0 yards per carry on around 14-16 carries a game, catch 2-3 balls, and score around 10 touchdowns. A redux of last season in a better offense (compared to last year’s Bengals) would once again put Mixon around the RB1/2 border. This should be quite possible playing in an ascending Texans offense with C.J. Stroud manning the controls.
While I don’t think Mixon is done yet, the end is certainly nearer than the beginning. We are likely looking at no more than one or two more useful years left.
Thus, Mixon is at that point in his career where his fantasy managers should consider moving him. Of course, it’s easier said than done, as the teams you’re potentially trading him to know exactly what you’re doing.
START TRADING: Dynasty Fantasy Football Trade Value Chart
If you’re not a contender, it may be a bit risky to carry Mixon into the season, as there’s a chance this is the year he falls off a cliff. However, even if Mixon remains this unexciting, floor-based running back who relies on volume and touchdowns, he can contribute to a dynasty team chasing a championship.
The best opportunity for a trade might be during the season when a contender loses a running back. Unless he exceeds expectations, I would look to move Mixon at some point in 2024 if you can.
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