As we gear up to the start of the NFL season, Football Absurdity is going to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of every notable player that will be available in fantasy football drafts. When you don’t see us talking about Christine Michael or Mike Davis, don’t get mad at us for neglecting your favorite sleeper. Get mad at yourself for having bad taste in football players. We are only focusing on the top-rated players in standard scoring and points per game leagues.
With my player profiles, I’ve only decided to go back to look at their fantasy scoring for three years. I could show you lists from earlier, but most of the guys at the top are no longer in the league anymore. I’ve also added a chart for their usage over that time span. We will try to determine, based on those two factors, where the best running back value lies.
Joe Mixon
Standard: 10th among RBs, 12th overall
PPR: 10th among RBs, 15th overall
Joe Mixon Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $44
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 9th | 200.4 | 9th | 14.3 |
| 2017 | 32nd | 111.3 | 32nd | 8.0 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 10th | 243.4 | 9th | 17.4 |
| 2017 | 34th | 141.3 | 31st | 10.1 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
FANTASY USAGE
| Carries | Carries Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 237 | 16.9 | 55 | 3.9 |
| 2017 | 178 | 12.7 | 30 | 2.1 |
| 2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Overview: One of the only risers in an aging offense, Mixon proved he could be an every down back in 2018. He looked to improve these numbers behind an improved offensive line, but a season-ending injury to the Bengals’ first round left tackle pick, and an unexpected retirement may have tempered expectations.
Strategy: OurJoe Mixon Auction Value ($200 Budget): $48
Mixon is exactly what we look for in a second round back: Volume with a bit of risk due to his offense’s potential to implode or throw to catch up from behind. We’ll gladly him a few picks into the second round. We do not like his first round ADP, there’s at least 8 RBs, 3 WRs, and a TE who have the same upside on a much more stable offense.
Auction sees some widely divergent values. FantasyFootballPros has him at a measly $36, whereas the far-more realistic FantasyFootballNerd says $44. We are wary to bid into the $50s for a piece of the questionable Bengals offense, but if you’re optimistic be prepared to bid up well into the $40s.
Best Case Scenario: Cincy’s newer players gel, and the absence of Marvin Lewis creates a refreshing new perspective. Mixon finishes as the 5th-10th RB.
Worst Case Scenario: Mixon just doesn’t get enough good work on a struggling offense that often plays from behind and ends up a middle-of-the-road RB2.
