NFL legend names Houston Texans’ Joe Mixon among top five running backs in 2024

After the Houston Texans’ season ended in the Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens, coach DeMeco Ryans quickly identified areas where the team needed to improve before leaving M&T Bank Stadium. When it came to the rushing attack, Ryans was determined to bring in a running back who could catapult Houston’s offense.

His determination helped the Texans draft Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon to the Pro Bowl. NFL legend Todd Gurley recently revealed his top five running backs ahead of the 2024 season on the ‘Podcast 25-10which featured Mixon at number 3.

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“The top five is obviously Christian McCaffery and Derrick Henry, they’re always going to be up there,” Gurley said. “I’m going to put Joe Mixon in the top five. His situation was kind of the same as mine. You can see how they cut him. (The Bengals) are trying to throw the ball more. I’m like, ‘Give him the rock.’”

Despite a disappointing 2023, Mixon just finished his fourth career season with over 1,000 rushing yards. He finished his final season with the Bengals, rushing for 1,034 yards on 257 attempts and nine touchdowns.

His best season came in 2021, when Mixon rushed for a career-high 1,205 yards on 292 carries and 13 touchdowns. His production helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI, where Cincinnati lost 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams. The Bengals’ Super Bowl run also marked Mixon’s only Pro Bowl season.

Ryans is thrilled to have Mixon on the title-bound Texans roster. His excitement matches Mixon’s, who says joining Houston was an extraordinary opportunity.

“I feel good about this situation,” Mixon said. “I have a great group of guys around me. I talked to the coaches, and just the fact that they see me playing in this offense is really exciting, man, so I can’t wait to get started.”

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Follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24.