Texans: Where NFL execs ranked Joe Mixon among every NFL RB

Joe Mixon’s addition to the Houston Texans should strengthen the ground game after a woeful 2023 campaign. That’s at least the hope after the Texans agreed to a new three-year extension worth $27 million annually.

C.J. Stroud shined as a rookie while helping Houston clinch its first division title in four years. Then again, he had to put up video game numbers since the run game was underwhelming between Devin Singletary and Dameon Pierce.

Enter Mixon, who’s coming off his fourth 1,000-yard campaign in Cincinnati and offers value out of the backfield as an extra receiver.

Mixon could be the difference between Houston being a playoff team and a Super Bowl contender. Since 2017, he ranks fourth in rushing and seventh in rushing touchdowns.

But what do NFL executives, coaches, and personnel think of the Texans’ new leading rusher?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled anonymous people around the league to get a feel for how they ranked the NFL’s best running backs. And while Mixon didn’t land in the top 10, he still ranked among the top five honorable mentions.

“He’ll be good for the Texans’ offense — he’ll be a steady presence and can get tough yards on first and second down,” one NFL personnel evaluator told Fowler.

Last season, Mixon finished with 31 explosive plays on runs over 20 yards downfield. He averaged 4.1 yards per run and picked up with his first 100-yard rushing performance in Week 18.

Entering 2024, Houston needs consistency in its backfield after finishing 28th in yards per game last season. Singletary pushed his way into the starting lineup, but he was signed to be the secondary option behind Pierce, who looked promising in his rookie season as the Texans’ long-term running back.

If Mixon can set the tone on early downs, a combination of Pierce and Jahwar Jordan should move the sticks later in the drive. That trifecta might not be the most potent lineup in the league, but Houston doesn’t need dominance to win.

The Texans return to practice for the start of training camp beginning on July 18.