Drafted in the second round (48th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft from Oklahoma, Joe Mixon had first-round talent but fell due to off-field issues. In Cincinnati, he quickly proved his value, becoming the Bengals’ offensive focal point and emotional leader in the backfield. Standing 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 220 pounds, Mixon combines patient vision, quick footwork, and strong downhill running with exceptional pass-catching skills out of the backfield.

After a solid rookie season with 628 rushing yards and four touchdowns, Mixon truly emerged as a sophomore in 2018. He led the AFC with 1,168 rushing yards and scored eight touchdowns, then followed up with 1,137 yards and five touchdowns in 2019. Although a foot injury limited him to just six games in 2020, Mixon made a strong comeback for Cincinnati's record-breaking 2021 season.

Mixon's 2021 masterclass was the driving force behind Cincinnati's AFC Championship appearance. He achieved personal bests, rushing for 1,205 yards and 13 touchdowns, while also catching 42 passes for 314 yards and three scores. With a total of 1,519 scrimmage yards, he earned his first Pro Bowl nod and played a key role in helping the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI. His versatile contributions continued in the following seasons, surpassing 1,200 scrimmage yards in 2022, and ending his streak in 2023 with his fourth 1,000-yard rushing season—finishing with 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.

Prior to the 2024 season, the Bengals traded Mixon to the Houston Texans as part of a roster restructuring, ending his seven-year run in Southern Ohio.  With the club, Mixon accrued 6,412 rushing yards, 2,139 receiving yards, and 62 total touchdowns (49 rushing, 13 receiving).