In terms of pure talent, Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon should be one of the first backs taken in the NFL Draft and an unquestioned first round pick. However, a 2014 incident in which he punched a woman in the face is severely impacting his draft stock. What teams could take a chance on him? Here are the three teams most likely to do so:
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs are expected to be targeting a running back in this draft with the uncertain future of Doug Martin with the team, and Mixon is someone who could come in and take over as a three-down back. He ran mostly out of shotgun sets at Oklahoma, but has proven to be effective running both between the tackles and on the outside. Plus, his pass-catching ability would give this explosive offense another dangerous weapon - and give Jameis Winston a reliable checkdown option.
2) New England Patriots
Barring a trade, the Patriots wouldn't be able to get Mixon until the end of the third round, and there's a very good chance he doesn't last that long. However, if he does, New England may bounce. Without a first or second round pick in the draft, Mixon would give them a first-round talent and become their lead running back (LeGarrette Blount is a free agent). The Patriots have routinely shown they will take top talent no matter what (drafting Aaron Hernandez, signing Michael Floyd after a DUI), and they could do that again with Mixon.
3) Cleveland Browns
Cleveland needs help where ever they can get it, so they may be willing to look past Mixon's off-field history because of what he can provide for them on the football field. Isaiah Crowell is firmly entrenched as their starting running back, but he's not a burner and is still developing as a receiving threat out of the backfield
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