Joe Mixon Is Preparing For More Carries In 2019

Offseason stories that have fantasy football implications often times get left in the mud and don’t receive the attention it deserves. Recently, the Titans made it common knowledge that their offense runs through Derrick Henry. I need to know that information for my fantasy draft. Today, we also learned that Joe Mixon is going to get an increased role as well.

With a new coaching staff coming to Cincinnati, Joe Mixon is preparing for more touches in 2019:

“I’m trying to be in the best shape to be able to handle that load, because it’s not easy,” Mixon said, via Geoff Hobson of the team website. “I know I could do it. You always have to expect it. Even if it doesn’t happen, you have to always expect it. And I always try to do whatever I can to maximize my ability. I feel like with what I can do, I should be able to do that easily.”

This is the type of information that you need to know. The Bengals obviously came to Mixon and told him to get ready for a big workload. That, of course, makes sense given the fact that Zac Taylor is the new head coach. Taylor comes via the Rams where Todd Gurley is coming off a 315 touch season despite missing the final 2 games of the regular season.

Mixon increased his workload over his first two years in the NFL. He went from 208 touches as a rookie to 280 in 2018. Mixon averaged 4.9 yards per carry this past season and has exceeded my expectations. Mixon rushed for 1,168 yards which is the most by a Bengals back since Cedric Benson in 2009. Mixon also showed that he was trustworthy as well fumbling a grand total of zero times in 2018.