Joe Mixon will be top five running back in league, make his first Pro Bowl 

By the start of the preseason, the newly 22-year-old Joe Mixon is looking to break out in his sophomore season.

Bengals’ 2017 second round pick had some adjusting to do before stepping into his new role. In the beginning of the season, Mixon saw limited action in the first few games but eventually took over incumbent Jeremy Hill’s role as the lead back on the team.

Mixon showed flashes of his versatile, all-around skill set where he recorded two 100-yard scrimmage games against Green Bay and Indianapolis plus had his first 100-yard rushing outing in a Week 11 outing against Cleveland. Mixon finished his rookie campaign with 626 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, four rushing touchdowns and averaged 3.5 yards per carry.

Mixon is expected to take most of the workload in 2018 and has high expectations to be the team’s most consistent running back since the days of Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson. In a division built on running the ball heavy, the Bengals could have their counter to the instant success of Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell.

Cincinnati fans and officials are eager to see what Mixon can bring in store in 2018 and the former Sooner will definitely stand out.

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