Joe Mixon Scouting Report
In this article, I’ll get into my game-by-game scouting notes as well as some of the things I noticed from Mixon overall from his tape.
vs Baylor 2016
-Mixon found himself trapped behind the line of scrimmage a lot in the first half of this game, was often pulled down for losses.
-Shows off elusiveness with several decisive cuts to make several defenders miss on run with 5:55 left in the first quarter.
-Mixon offers elite cut blocking in pass protection and helps to buy time for Baker Mayfield on touchdown pass to Dede Westbrook with 5:25 left in the first quarter.
-Displays ability to get to the corner and fight for extra yards on run with 7:00 left in the second quarter.
-Looks to have missed assignment in pass protection with 4:10 left in the third quarter but instead hangs quarterback out to dry and stands in place watching as he scrambles.
-Mixon takes a stretch run, cuts upfield, shrugs off a tackle from a defensive lineman and displays breakaway speed as he scores a 56-yard touchdown. Shows gritty running while offering speed as a runner.
-Running a route into the flats, he stiff arms one defender and sidesteps another. Brings shiftiness and YAC ability as a receiver in open space.
vs Texas Tech 2016
-With 13:42 left in the second quarter, takes an outside run, breaks through the line of scrimmage and turns his eyes upfield, where he makes several turns, shrugs off a defender with a stiff arm and carries his momentum into the endzone. Displays balance, strength, vision, and power on the same run.
-With 8:50 left in the second quarter, takes a run to the left, cuts it back to the right, viciously stiff arms a defender and turns a loss of yards into a gain of 25. Shows awareness as a runner and gritty running style.
-With 14:08 left in the third quarter, is stuck seven or eight yards behind the line of scrimmage. Surrounded by defenders, he creates space and shoots upfield, running it in for a 68-yard touchdown. Hustle and strength continue to show up on film.
-With 8:07 left in the third quarter, he runs a modified wheel route out of the backfield. The ball lofted a bit too far, but he reaches up and pulls it down with one hand while keeping his stride. He turns his eyes upfield and turns on the burners, breaking a tackle inside the ten to score a touchdown. Continues to have the potential to score a touchdown every time he has the ball while displaying more power and speed as a runner.
vs Texas Tech 2015
-With 13:34 left in the second quarter takes a draw up the middle. After shaking off a defender at the LOS, he carries two defenders into the end zone with him for the touchdown. A lethal combination of elusiveness and power continues to show up on tape from Mixon.
-At the 13:44 mark in the third quarter, takes run to the outside and upfield. He makes several cuts and moves to the right and gains 45. Vision and acceleration are consistent elements from Mixon as a runner.
vs Auburn 2016
-Mixon shows multiple gears as a runner; at times, he is patient and takes time to find a running lane. and others where he gets a full head of steam and is racing upfield. Can translate well to the next level.
-With 3:41 left in the second quarter, takes a carry on the goal line. Uses jump cut to take a moment to survey the field, which throws off multiple defenders and creates a lane that he utilizes and dives into the end zone. Shows patience and shiftiness as a runner.
vs West Virginia 2016
-Continues to display elite receiving capabilities and an ability to create YAC that are amongst the best of any back I have scouted in this class. Can be an ideal third down receiver out of the backfield at the next level.
-Mixon utilizes the sideline well as a runner and knows how to use it to force missed tackles.
Summary
Joe Mixon is a first-round talent on the field, but he is an undrafted talent off of it. As a runner Mixon shows blazing speed and tremendous patience to watch holes develop. He sometimes gets stuck behind the line and doesn’t do well at the point of attack, but on numerous occasions, he has also shown the ability to find space and turn that play into a touchdown. He shows elite receiving capabilities and the ability as a runner and a receiver to utilize his shiftiness to create yards after catch. Mixon has shown what he can do on the field, not it’s time for him to convince teams that he can right his ways and be good off of it. He won’t be allowed at the NFL Combine due to recent rules about assault cases being implemented and questions as to whether Oklahoma will let him work out at their Pro Day, he will likely have to test well for teams in private. He is in a Tyreek Hill situation right now where not many teams will want to be the team that gives him an entry into the NFL, not to mention bad PR, but if a team does end up selecting him, they could get a steal. If off-field issues were thrown out, Mixon would be my second-rated back in this class behind Dalvin Cook, but for now he ranks #8 with a third round value from me.
