There was a time when Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was a big threat in the team’s offense. Just two years ago, he rushed for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns.
However, since last season, Mixon’s production has plummeted.
The Bengals opted to bring Mixon back after a slow 2022 campaign in which he registered just 814 yards while averaging 3.9 yards per carry, hoping he would rebound.
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, he has not done that thus far this season, as he is logging just 3.8 yards per attempt through the first six weeks of 2023 and has averaged 3.2 yards per tote over the last two games.
As a result, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay feels that the Bengals should pursue a trade for Tennessee Titans halfback Derrick Henry.
Given the Titans’ struggles this season and the fact that the 29-year-old Henry will be a free agent at the end of the year, Tennessee could decide to part ways with its long-time running back between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline.
Kay suggests that the Bengals trade a 2024 second-round draft pick and a fifth-rounder to the Titans in exchange for Henry, who would join Cincinnati’s backfield alongside of Mixon.
Henry may not be the same 2,000-yard back from several years ago, but he is still productive, as he has rushed for 425 yards and three touchdowns while posting 4.3 yards per tote this season. Plus, just a year ago, the University of Alabama product racked up 1,538 yards on the ground.
The Bengals have rebounded to win their last two games after starting the campaign 1-3 and are now just one game behind the Baltimore Ravens for first place in the AFC North. Adding Derrick Henry into the mix could ultimately put them over the top in their competitive division.
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