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2017 Draft Prospect Joe Mixon Meets with Lions

By Andria Dolan

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) leaps away from the tackle attempt of Auburn Tigers linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) in the second quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) leaps away from the tackle attempt of Auburn Tigers linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) in the second quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 Draft Prospect Joe Mixon met with the Detroit Lions Tuesday to discuss his possible future with the organization

Tuesday night was a big day for Joe Mixon. Mixon, who was not invited to this year’s combine due to an incident in 2014, was reported to have met with the Detroit Lions and three other teams, the  Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints. These are all teams with a need for Mixon’s particular position as a running back. Even with teams that have the need, Mixon can’t afford to discriminate against any team that shows interest.

Possibilities still exist for Mixon

Due to his misdemeanor charge from 2014 for punching a fellow female student, Mixon was not expected to be drafted at all. His talent opens the door again for him to be drafted as early as the third round, according to some sources.

USA Today speculates Mixon to go as early as third round

This may not seem like a good position in the draft, but for Joe Mixon, who is not high on most teams’ radar, it’s important that he is still in the conversation.

Whatever team lands him will have an uphill climb

Recent events have pushed the league into a corner regarding domestic violence. The NFL has now instituted a rule to shield them from players with higher potential for incidents. The rule prevents prospects from joining the combine if they have a misdemeanor or felony domestic violence charge. This may have helped the league save face in the last few years. But since the rule now exists, franchises have to be much more choosy about their personnel.

Because of the change, the team that picks up Mixon will have a P/R problem on their hands. After the incident with Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson’s legal problems, clubs are much more wary of picking up players that would alienate fans and sponsors.

Bob Quinn comments on Joe Mixon

Mixon will likely end up…

Given the teams that met with Joe Mixon, he will likely end up with the club that is most desperate. Mixon’s stock isn’t high. He’ll have to settle for the best deal he can get. Teams like Cleveland are likely to pay more for a player with history such as his. Detroit probably won’t battle much to beat out the Bengals, which is a likely place to expect Mixon to play.

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