Bengals take chance with Mixon
CINCINNATI — Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon is headed to Cincinnati, which added to its reputation for taking chances on players with significant off-field issues.
The Bengals traded down in the second round on Friday and took Mixon with the 48th overall pick, putting them back in the spotlight as a place known for giving second and third chances.
The 5-foot-10 running back out of Oklahoma was one of the top players available at his position, but teams were wary because of his history. Mixon was suspended for his freshman season after punching a female student and breaking bones in her face.
The crowd in Philadelphia booed when Mixon’s selection was announced. Coach Marvin Lewis said the team was aware of how the public would react to the pick.
“For some of our fans, probably (they will) pause for a second,” Lewis said. “But this thing has got to move forward, and he has got to move on. He has lived with this since the day it occurred.”
Bengals owner Mike Brown is known for taking troubled players. Linebacker Vontaze Burfict signed with Cincinnati as a free agent after no team was willing to draft him in 2012, and he has been suspended for his history of illegal hits. Cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones was arrested again in the offseason and faces misdemeanor charges for an altercation at a downtown hotel.
And now all the attention will be on their new running back, who fills a hole in the offense and puts the team’s reputation back on the line. The Bengals were sold on him after spending time with him, and Mixon was convinced they’d take a chance on him.
“After going there and having a good talk with coach Lewis and the owner, I felt they felt very comfortable,” Mixon said on a conference call. “I was very straight-up with them.”
Mixon punched Amelia Molitor and broke bones in her face during an altercation in July 2014, prompting his one-year suspension. He returned and had two impressive seasons, turning into an all-Big 12 performer 9. John Ross, WR, Washington 48. Joe Mixon, RB, Oklahoma 73. Jordan Willis, DE, Kansas State
TODAY’S PICKS 116, 128, 138 153, 176 193, 217 227, 251
while setting a school record for all-purpose yards in a season.
Cincinnati needed a running back after Rex Burkhead left for New England. Plus, Giovani Bernard is recovering from a torn ACL, raising doubts about depth at the position. Jeremy Hill is the starter.
Wrapping up
The Bengals have exercised their fifth-year option on cornerback Darqueze Dennard through the 2018 season. Dennard was the 24th overall pick in 2014. … In the third round, the Bengals selected Kansas State defensive lineman Jordan Willis with the 73rd overall pick.