Fansided

One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes /
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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) /

. Joe Mixon. . team. 56. . Running Back

The road to the NFL was not an easy one for Joe Mixon, who certainly had the talent to get here, but made some terrible decisions off the field that could have derailed his career. The Cincinnati Bengals took a chance on him when they picked him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and in 2018, that chance is going to prove to pay off in a big way.

The Bengals were one of the worst teams in the league last season, especially on offense, which is a bit surprising considering the weapons they have. Andy Dalton is a perennial Pro Bowl quarterback, and some feel that A.J. Green is a top-five wide receiver in the league.

Still, the Bengals played so bad that they nearly got  head coach Marvin Lewis fired, and it was actually a shock when the team decided to bring him back this offseason. Despite being the head coach of the team since 2003, Lewis has never won a playoff game, and his time in Cincinnati is likely running out.

When it comes to Mixon, he has the big-play ability to really dominate at the NFL level. This season, there is one less back in the mix to share the carries with, as Jeremy Hill is no longer with the team. That means Mixon will share carries with only  Giovani Bernard for the most part in 2018, giving him an opportunity to really shine.

Mixon carried the ball 178 times as a rookie, scoring four touchdowns, and averaging 3.5 yards per carry. All of those statistics are certain to go up this season, but it could be another long season in Cincinnati.