Joe Mixon

Did you know that Joe Mixon has actually played more games than Dalvin Cook since they both came into the league in 2017? Yet somehow Mixon gets labeled as an injury risk every single season and Cook is being drafted as a top-3 pick this year. While Cook's production when he's on the field is certainly worthy of a top-3 pick, it goes to show the recency bias that comes into play for fantasy managers when they're on the clock. When Mixon is on the field, he's going to receive one of the heaviest workloads in the entire league. He's one of the most talented RBs in the league and this offense is set to take a major jump in 2021 with Joe Burrow and his surfeit of receiving weapons. If Mixon had been shut down immediately last season and put on IR when his injury occurred, we wouldn't have this perception in our minds of him as a huge injury risk. However, because of Zac Taylor's inconsistent commitment to Mixon returning to the lineup last year, fantasy managers have a bad taste in their mouths. Go get some mouthwash, clean out that taste, and draft Mixon at a major discount this year. The production's going to be too good to pass up. My Very Early Projection: 298-1193-9 rushing & 61-459-2 receiving.

Joe Mixon could receive biggest workload of his career, per beat writer

Paul Dehner Jr. of the Athletic writes Joe Mixon could play 80% of the snaps, which is something only five running backs have been able to do in the last four years.

Fantasy Impact

With Giovani Bernard no longer on the roster, Mixon could be looking at setting career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. Such a development could push the former Sooner into a true three-down role, which is something he has not had due to Bernard's role in the passing game. If Mixon is able to stay healthy, he could have the opportunity to have a career-defining season. The Bengals' offense looks to be much improved with the return of quarterback, Joe Burrow. The four-year pro has disappointed in the past, but that could all change this season. Fantasy managers should be excited about Mixon's potential bell-cow role in an exciting, young offense. He has the upside of a top-10 running back for the 2021 season.