Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/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: Joe Mixon vs. Giovani Bernard

During the 2017 NFL Draft, Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon was one of the best in his position group. However, some off the field issues during his time in Norman made it look like he would not be drafted at all, as there was some horrific things caught on tape.

However, the Bengals rolled the dice on Mixon, selecting him in the second round of that draft, and he played pretty well as a rookie. In 2018, Mixon has the opportunity to be the top option at running back for Cincinnati, but he will have to unseat Giovani Bernard for that distinction.

Last season, Mixon had to battle Bernard and Jeremy Hill for carries, but only Bernard remains from that tandem  this season. While Bernard has had some great moments for the Bengals, he does not have the potential game-breaking ability that Mixon could have being an every down back.

Currently, Bernard is listed at the top of the depth chart, but all that could change this summer. The organization really took a chance by drafting Mixon, and he has repaid them by staying out of trouble, and being a player that can do a lot within their offense, on the ground, and through the air.

This is a huge season for Cincinnati, as they tried to bolster the offensive line this offseason, and does still have one of the best wideouts in the NFL in A.J. Green. If the Bengals have a bad season, head coach Marvin Lewis is likely gone, so the best players will play in 2018, but will that be Mixon or Bernard at running back?