:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72158735/1460645304.0.jpg "Joe Mixon trade/release rumors: Who should be the Bengals' RB1 in 2023?")
We now have fewer than three weeks until the NFL Draft, which is deep at the running back position. But, there are still some useful free agent running backs out there who will find homes at some point this off-season. And there are also plenty of teams that will want to add a running back or two.
One of those teams should be the Cincinnati Bengals, who appear destined to release or trade Joe Mixon this off-season. Mixon struggled on the field in efficiency, but more notably, awaits a refiling of charges by the Cincinnati Police Department stemming from an altercation where he allegedly pointed a gun at a woman.
The Bengals would be smart to move on from Mixon for a myriad of reasons. Last season Mixon was outplayed on a per-touch basis by backup Samaje Perine, who is now in Denver. Mixon also led the league in percent of rushing attempts into light boxes, but did not take advantage:
Despite leading the league in percentage of runs to come against light boxes (42.2%), Joe Mixon averaged:
3.9 yards per carry (36th among 44 backs with 100 or more carries)
2.61 yards after contact per carry (39th)
8.4% of his carries went for 10 or more yards (34th)– Rich Hribar (@LordReebs) April 6, 2023