Mixon agent: Controversial RB prospect could have Zeke-like impact

Certainly, of the things NFL teams may have concerns about with Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, it’s not his talent on the field.

Speaking with “Polumbus & Cecil” on Friday, the controversial draft prospect’s agent, Peter Schaffer, characterized Mixon as a “faster Le’Veon Bell” with a lot of tread still on his tires.

“Let’s keep in mind he’s only 20 years old. He’s coming out of college with only 300 carries. That’s one year,” Schaffer said. “And, so, you talk about a lot of tread on the tire. His second contract will come when he’s 23 years old. A lot of times, that’s a guy’s rookie contract.”

However, the reason for his lack of wear and tear is due much in part to Mixon’s one-year suspension during his freshman season after he was arrested for hitting a fellow female student in the face, fracturing several bones in her face.

Sports Radio 104.3 The Fan’s Brandon Stokley called the Denver Broncos potential pursuit of Mixon a “big risk.”

But if Schaffer’s prediction is correct, and Mixon has truly rehabilitated himself, the all-purpose back could have an immediate impact on the scale of Ezekiel Elliott with the Dallas Cowboys last season, for whatever team gives him a second chance.

“I think Joe Mixon, he can have the same impact that Ezekiel Elliott had for the Cowboys last year in the right situation,” Schaffer said. “He’s that kind of player who can have 300-350 carries, probably 40-50 receptions, and be a three-down back.

“If you have an offense that’s going to use that type of talent, he’s an immediate impact player.”

Clearly in the market for an all-purpose back, with suggestions the team could draft Christian McCaffrey out of Stanford at No 20 overall in the NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos could check off a lot of needs should they pick up Mixon, said The Fan’s Sandy Clough.

“Mixon has been an active player and would certainly check off all the need boxes that the Broncos are looking for in an all-purpose back,” Clough said.

“As a kick and punt returner: check, check. As a receiver coming out of the backfield: check. As a runner: check. As a guy who’s 228-230 pounds who can run inside the tackles and has some burst, speed, and explosiveness — a game-breaker, a game changer. Check, check, check on all of that stuff.”

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.