How Joe Mixon assault video affects NFL future

Does Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon have a future in the NFL after a video of him punching a woman was released?

Joe Mixon is likely playing his final game as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sugar Bowl when they take on the Auburn Tigers. He’ll be eligible for the NFL Draft and has a set of skills that will be attractive to NFL teams, but will the NFL shy away in the wake of a video showing Mixon assaulting a female?

The assault is from 2014 when Mixon was a freshman and was suspended for his freshman season. He served the punishment that Oklahoma and Sooners head coach Bob Stoops determined to be appropriate for his actions, but the release of the video reminding all of his inexcusable and disgusting behavior.

Oklahoma considers this matter closed and Mixon is ready to move on to the NFL, but will the NFL be ready to open their doors to another person with a history of violence against women? The same day Mixon assaulted his victim was the same day Ray Rice was given a two-game suspension for punching his then-fiancee. Rice has not played an NFL down since and was viewed as a toxic entity after a video circulated of his assault.

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Mixon won’t be met with the same fate. Evaluating Mixon solely on his on-field play, he is one of the best running backs in a class that could be one of the best running back classes of all-time. Mixon has 1,183 yards on seven yards per carry and eight touchdowns while adding 32 receptions for 449 yards and five touchdowns through the air. At 6-1, 226 pounds, the former five-star recruit has ideal NFL size and the all-around production and ability to be a high draft pick based on his on-field talents.

In the new NFL, off-field behavior means more than ever so Mixon will not be drafted as high as he would if not for his assault. Regardless of the video being released, Mixon’s biggest hurdle to the NFL was his assault and I think several NFL teams will remove him entirely from their draft board. Considering his past and the depth of the running back position this year, teams won’t be rushing to put themselves in a position to justify taking a player who assaulted a woman.

But some team will inevitably take a chance on Mixon before the seven round draft comes to an end. He is an eligible player with skills that can help an NFL team win games. As long as NFL coaches and general managers are evaluated on wins and losses, they will continue to sacrifice integrity for touchdowns. It’s not right, but it’s the truth.

I think Mixon is a second round talent, but his off-the-field issues could see him drop until the third day. Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller believes Mixon will still be taken in the first 75 picks. ESPN’s Todd McShay and Mel Kiper don’t have a grade on Mixon yet, but I’d imagine their thoughts mirror mine. He is a top-50 talent who will not be drafted as high as his talent indicates because of his past.

It will upset many across the country that he’ll have a chance to make a living in the NFL, but don’t let his inevitable future in the league stop you from demanding accountability and a change in culture. It would be a nice start to see the NFL suspend Mixon for a period of time for his past assault and send a message that what you do in college will affect you in your professional life.