Jacksonville Jaguars 2017 NFL Draft: Consider Joe Mixon

The Jacksonville Jaguars may have tipped their hand for the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. After primarily focusing on defense with 2017 free agency signings, a running back should be selected.

The Jacksonville Jaguars landed three big free agents for the defense. Branden Albert was obtained from Miami to play left tackle. As a result, the focus in the 2017 NFL Draft should be on running back and Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon has a strong case to be selected.

While offensive line questions remain, general manager Dave Caldwell has stated he is comfortable playing with the guys on the roster already. With that, attention may turn to a running back and when Jacksoville addresses the position. Evidently, the Jaguars feel that they have their quarterback in Blake Bortles. In comparison, the running back position is far from settled and increased talent at the position would help Bortles by taking pressure off the passing game.

Jacksonville might be considering Dalvin Cook from Florida State. Another option from Florida (which is a trend in Jacksonville draft selections) would be popular and there’s no argument that Cook isn’t productive enough to warrant the selection.

Leonard Fournette is another possibility for the Jaguars. His time in the forty-yard dash is 4.51 seconds despite being a massive six feet tall and 240 pounds.

However, there is another running back who is faster.

Joe Mixon had his pro day at Oklahoma recently. According to Vinnie Iyer of Sporting News,

"Mixon wowed most by running the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds, but he also delivered a 35-inch vertical jump, a 4.25-second short shuttle and 9-foot, 10-inch broad jump. Combining that with his measurements of 6-1, 228, he looked like he belonged right there with all the top running back prospects in the 2017 class."

Two Reasons Why Joe Mixon Should be Considered by the Jaguars

First, Mixon has breakaway speed. He is able to go the distance on any play. The Jaguars have not had a speedster for some time.

Second, he catches passes out of the backfield and scores. Mixon will force opposing teams to account for him on every down. He could develop into an every down back due to his athleticism and skill set.

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There will be critics of any team that chooses to select Mixon due to his off-field issue (an arrest for assault against a woman) that led to a suspension through the 2014-2015 season. His growth over the last few years may help teams see the light, however. He’ll have to prove he can be a Tom Coughlin guy if he wants to come to Jacksonville. That will take some convincing.

Athletically, Mixon may be among the top-three players at his position but has a public relations nightmare to deal with. Solely because of that public relations nightmare, Mixon probably won’t be a first-round selection, though his ability should be balanced against talents like Fournette and Cook and the Jaguars, in making a selection at running back, should keep that comparative value in mind while weighing the value of his talent against second, third, and fourth-round picks (or even later).

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