Controversial Mixon makes Denver stop
Former Sooner wasn’t invited to combine
The Broncos are working to gain more insight into one of the most controversial prospects in the 2017 draft class: former Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon.
Mixon met with Broncos officials at Dove Valley on Thursday, according to an NFL source. Mixon is meeting with NFL teams in part to try to convince executives why they should take a chance on him.
In July 2014, as a freshman at Oklahoma, Mixon forcefully punched a young woman in the face at a sandwich shop. Mixon and the woman were in the midst of a verbal confrontation in Norman, Okla. The punch broke the woman’s jaw and cheekbone.
Mixon was suspended for his freshman season and accepted a plea deal on an assault charge that kept him out of prison. It wasn’t until December 2016, when the video of the incident was released, that the incident drew national attention.
It was a horrific reminder of the video of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice punching his wife in an elevator. That video essentially ended Rice’s NFL career. Mixon was also suspended for a game this past fall after tearing up a parking ticket and throwing it in an attendant’s face.
His off-field behavior has led to most teams dropping his draft stock. As one of the most talented running backs in the draft, Mixon could go as early as the second round or somewhere during Day 3, depending on how well he does in the interview process leading up to the draft and which team will take a chance on him.
Mixon met with the Cincinnati Bengals last week, as well as several other teams at his Pro Day on March 8. He wasn’t invited to the NFL combine because of the assault, a decision that upset many NFL executives. Mixon has a number of other private visits scheduled.
Mixon, 6-foot-1, 228 pounds, had 2,921 rushing and receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in his two seasons at Oklahoma. He also was a successful kick and punt returner. He ran an unofficial 4.43-second 40-yard dash and impressed during onfield drills at his pro day.
Some scouts wondered whether he is the most talented running back in this class.