If Joe Mixon can stay out of trouble and somehow repair his image, the former Oklahoma running back could wind up being a steal for a team that does not have an early pick in the NFL Draft. Coincidentally, the Green Bay Packers have the 29th overall pick.
They also have a glaring need at the running back position, and there could be some interest. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported this week that the Packers hosted Mixon for a visit, which is something teams are only permitted to do with a certain number of prospects.
Because of his off-field troubles, a handful of NFL teams have already removed Mixon from their draft boards. Some feel Mixon is the best running back in the draft from a pure talent standpoint, so you know an NFL team is going to toss morals aside for the prospect of selecting a top player at a bargain price.
Will the Packers be that team? Head coach Mike McCarthy has expressed confidence that wide receiver-turned-running back Ty Montgomery can handle a starting role in the backfield, but you have to think Green Bay would rather use him as a complimentary piece. They’re likely going to address the running back position in the draft whether they take Mixon or not.
Mixon was infamously suspended for the 2014 season after knocking out a woman nearby the Oklahoma campus, breaking several bones in her face. A video of the incident was released back in December. He was also suspended last season for an incident with a parking attendant. If not for all of that, the Packers could simply ignore him knowing he will not be on the board when they pick. It will be interesting to see if they take a chance.
