Fansided

Each NFL team’s biggest reason to be excited in 2018

By Brad Berreman

BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BEREA, OH - JULY 30: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during a training camp practice on July 30, 2018 at the Cleveland Browns training facility in Berea, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Ian Johnson-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Ian Johnson-Icon Sportswire/Getty Images /

Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Mixon

By pretty much all measures, Mixon’s 2017 rookie season was a big disappointment. He led the Bengals in rushing (626 yards), but he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry after starting out overweight in rookie minicamp and never really getting down to a better body mass.

Mixon did finish on a higher note though, averaging 4.3 yards per carry over his final five games with at least 18 carries three times over that span. At the NFL Combine back in February, Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin tabbed Mixon as the team’s “bell cow” this year, with Giovani Bernard in a secondary role. Mixon followed up in April by saying he wanted to play at 220 pounds this season, and ahead of arriving for training camp he was down to 218.

Cincinnati also made some moves to help their offensive line this offseason, getting offensive tackle Cordy Glenn via trade from the Buffalo Bills and drafting center Billy Price in the first round.

Then there’s this fantasy-tilted nugget regarding Mixon, however valuable (or not) strength of schedule really is.

The league’s 31st-ranked rush offense from last year (85.4 yards per game) has virtually nowhere to go but up, with a slimmed-down version of Mixon leading the way. A little more involvement in the passing game, after tallying 34 targets and 30 catches in 14 games last year, could be coming too.

In any case, the Bengals can be very excited about the idea of a second year surge for Mixon.

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