Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest burning question in 2018

By Brad Weiss

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the invited attendees to the 2017 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 27: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and the invited attendees to the 2017 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater on April 27, 2017 in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – NOVEMBER 26: Joe Mixon #28 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paul Brown Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals defeated the Browns 30-16. (Photo by John Grieshop/Getty Images) /

Cincinnati Bengals: Does Joe Mixon become an elite RB in 2018?

During the 2017 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals made a very controversial decision when they selected Joe Mixon out of Oklahoma in the second round. Sure, Mixon is an incredible running back, but he had some nasty off the field incidents during his time in Norman, and many believed he could fall completely out of the draft.

As a rookie, Mixon split time with guys like Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, two running backs who have a long history in Cincinnati. While Bernard is currently still on the roster, Hill is gone, and Mixon is going to get every opportunity to be the lead back in year two in 2018.

Last season, Mixon made seven starts for the Bengals, and showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie campaign. His best game of the season came in Week 11, when he rushed for 114 yards on 23 carries against the lowly Cleveland Browns. That was his real coming out party, but he also ended the season on a high note as well.

In the season finale, the Bengals had the opportunity to knock the hated Baltimore Ravens out of the playoff hunt, and they did just that. Mixon played a huge part for the Bengals, rushing for nearly 100 yards on 18 carries, capping off a very solid rookie season for the former Sooner.

In 2018, Mixon is going to be asked to do a lot more, and the Bengals certainly have gotten better in front of him. They picked up a starting left tackle in Cordy Glenn from the Buffalo Bills via trade, and drafted center Billy Price from Ohio State. It could be a monster year for Mixon, who will be looking to save head coach Marvin Lewis’ job.

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