Week 9 vs. Cleveland
Joe Mixon's touches were up from the previous game, but still not in that 20+ range. He ended up having a good day in the passing game with 58 receiving yards and a touchdown reception. He ended up with 91 total yards and added a rushing touchdown for a very good fantasy outing, especially in PPR leagues.
Mixon faces the Browns who are ranked 11th in aFPA to running backs. He only faced Cleveland once last season and his numbers were averaged, but he did have two 100+ rushing yard performances against them back in 2019.
Start Mixon as a low-end RB1 for Week 9. We still want to see those touches up, but the fact he is getting more involved in the passing game bodes well for his fantasy output.
Week 8 at New York Jets
Joe Mixon has been a confusing fantasy player as his usage has fluctuated so far in 2021. He only had 12 touches against Baltimore and that has happened on occasion this season. Most expected him to be a 20+ touch guy every week but that hasn't happened. He did score a TD last Sunday but only had 59 total yards.
Mixon will face the Jets who are 30th in aFPA to running backs. This seems like a great matchup but again the touches are killing his mojo.
Start Mixon for Week 8 but only as an RB2. The matchup should help produce some numbers if the touches are there. But there is some risk involved so getting him to give you RB1 numbers is less probable.
Week 7 at Baltimore
The touches went back up for Joe Mixon with 23 which was the most since Week 1. He also became involved in the passing game with five receptions for 69 yards. All his passing stats were season-highs for Mixon. He also rushed for 94 yards which was also his highest total since Week 1.
Running backs have fared well against Baltimore this season. The Ravens are ranked 20th in aFPA to the position which should give Mixon some opportunities.
Start Mixon as a solid RB1 for Week 7. As long as he gets that 20+ touches, he will be a major fantasy factor this weekend.
Week 6 at Detroit
Joe Mixon had season-lows in everything last week against Green Bay. He is dealing with an ankle issue, and even though he is listed as questionable, he is expected to handle his normal workload. Mixon overall has been a little disappointing so far in 2021. Most of that stems from the lack of use in the passing game. He still is getting good rushing numbers but the presence of three quality wide receivers has diminished his role in the passing game.
Mixon has a great matchup for Week 6 against a Lions rush defense that is one of the worst in the NFL. Mixon should be back to 15-20 touches which should get him those good rushing numbers.
Start Mixon as a solid RB2 on Sunday against Detroit and hope QB Joe Burrow looks his way a little more in the passing game.
Week 5 vs. Green Bay
After two weeks with 20+ touches, Joe Mixon has been below that number. He still had 67 yards and a touchdown, but it's surprising the Bengals haven't gone to him more in recent weeks. Mixon can play three downs and has shown he carry the running game and contribute to the passing game.
The Bengals face the Packers who are ranked 15th in aFPA to running backs. If Cincy doesn't get the ball in Mixon's hands more, owners are going to be upset drafting him as an RB1.
If, and it's a big IF, he plays due to an ankle sprain, start Mixon but only as a high-end RB3 or Flex for Week 6.
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville
Another solid game for Joe Mixon should make his owners confident he is the focus of the Bengals offense. He carried the ball 18 times for 90 yards. He only had one target which produced one catch so that number could be higher. But that was more because of the way the game went. We still expect 25 touches per week.
Mixon has a great matchup this Thursday against the Jags who are 29th in aFPA to running backs. Last year, Mixon ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns against Jacksonville.
Expect a big night from Mixon. Start him as a top 5 fantasy running back for Week 4. As long as they get him the touches, the fantasy numbers should be huge.
Week 3 at Pittsburgh
After a strong opener, Joe Mixon was held to 3.5 yards per carry and 71 total yards against Chicago. He still had 20+ touches but the production wasn't there like Week 1. Mixon is still the main part of the offense and we saw what he is capable of, but a better defense will limit that potential.
Mixon faces the Steelers who were ranked 5th in aFPA to running backs in 2020. Pittsburgh hasn't faced a good running game yet so that ranking might be a little misleading. Mixon didn't face the Steelers last season but has been average in his career against the division rival.
Start Mixon as a solid RB1 for Week 3. He will get the touches and although he will not replicate the Week 1 performance, he can at least match last week's performance at a minimum.
Week 2 at Chicago
It was an amazing day for running back Joe Mixon. He carried the ball 29 times and added four receptions for 33 touches. And the production was there as well. He had 150 total yads and scored a touchdown. There is no doubt a healthy Mixon will see more days like this in the terms of usage.
The Bengals running game will have a tough matchup this weekend against the Bears. Chicago is ranked 4th in aFPA to running backs after one week which isn't a surprise as they were considered one of the better run defenses in the NFL.
The touches along make Mixon a very valuable fantasy asset. Although he might get 30+ touches every game, you can expect 20-25. The matchup might affect his production slightly but he is still in good shape for Week 2 as a solid RB1.
Week 1 vs. Minnesota
After back-to-back 1,000+ rushing yard seasons, Joe Mixon only played six games in 2020 due to injury. The Bengals expect a full comeback for the fifth year running back. He has also been effective in the passing game and should help owners in PPR leagues.
Mixon will face the Vikings Week 1 who were 22nd in aFPA to running backs last season. This is a good matchup at home for the Bengals running game. He should get a minimum 20 touches on Sunday and the yardage should be there.
Start Mixon as a top 5 running back for Week 1 in all formats. He should be an RB1 most of the season as the Cincy offense will be above average with the weapons they have.
Fantasy Upside
Joe Mixon made a major impact on the Bengals offense in 2018 and 2019. He rushed for over 1,100 yards and total yards eclipsed 1,400 in both those seasons. Mixon became the focal point of the Cincinnati offense. He ended up with 593 touches over that two-year span. Last year, he was tied for third in touches in the NFL heading into Week 6 but was sidetracked by a foot injury. No doubt the Bengals will ride a healthy Mixon in the running game to protect second-year QB, Joe Burrow.
Fantasy Downside
The injury leaves some questions about Mixon's durability. He couldn't heal to get back in the lineup and even with an offseason to recover, the issue could arise again. Mixon has not been a big touchdown guy since he entered the league. He has never had double-digit touchdowns in a season and that has prevented his fantasy ranking from jumping him to the next tier of great NFL running backs.
Bottom Line
Unless the Bengals get pass-happy with a healthy Burrow, Mixon's number should return to their pre-injury levels. In fact, with Gio Bernard now gone, his receiving numbers could increase. All reports are he is healthy right now so drafting him at his ADP, which is mid-second round, might actually be a bargain considering what we have seen when he is 100%. Mixon ranks a low-end RB1 for 2021 fantasy drafts and if he is your No. 1 back, the return will be positive. Don't be afraid to build a team around him as your second pick.
