The Green Bay Packers could use an upgrade that the running back position, and appear to be doing their due diligence on the NFL Draft's most controversial player. According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Packers had Mixon in for a pre-draft visit last week.
Aforementioned team that brought in Joe Mixon this week was the Packers. Like others, getting info/medical they didn't get at Combine.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 30, 2017
On talent alone, Mixon would be an unquestioned first-round pick and would be a steal for the Packers at the end of the first round. However, a 2014 incident in which he punched a woman in the face had dropped him to a projected second- or third-round prospect, but his stock is rising again.
He has impressed teams in interviews so much that he may end up going in the back end of the first round, which is when the Packers would have to be interested in drafting him, according to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report.
Mixon's willingness in recent weeks to address the character issues that have swirled around him after he was caught on video punching a woman in the face has transformed his image, according to that team official. Not just within that team, but around much of the league.
Indeed, people around the NFL now tell me Mixon is moving up draft boards.
It's long been believed that Mixon, like Ray Rice, would suffer because his assault was caught on video, and that video would embarrass any team that drafted him. Thus, he either wouldn't be drafted or he'd be selected late. Several team officials say at least four franchises have removed Mixon from their draft boards.
But in this case, I believe Mixon's rise is accurate. He seems to be impressing teams with his sincerity. Teams that once feared taking him are no longer as scared to do so.
Not only is his draft stock improving, but some teams say no player is moving up draft boards faster than Mixon. Apparently he's checking every box as he meets with various franchises.
Mixon might now go as high as the second round. Some even believe the late first round is in play.
Mixon was suspended for the entire 2014 season because of the incident. Last year, he rushed for 1,274 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries while catching 37 passes for 538 yards and five more scores.
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