Popular RB1 breakout candidate Joe Mixon of the Cincinnati Bengals is set to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery. The cleanup procedure is expected to sideline him for two weeks according to NFL.com.
This is a big blow to the Bengals short term season outlook as opposing defenders will once again be able to key on stopping AJ Green who went off for three touchdowns in week two versus the Baltimore Ravens which could in turn grind their offense to a slow grind.
We Expect Giovani Bernard and Mark Walton to share the load until Mixon’s hopeful return for week four or five. It is difficult to project how this timeshare will play out but we expect Gio to be the lead back until Walton develops a hot hand at which point he could and should be rewarded with the early down role.
Fantasy Context:
Gio Bernard – Available in 75 percent of Yahoo leagues Bernard will likely operate as the lead back in a timeshare with rookie Mark Walton. Gio was a solid RB2 in the games Mixon missed last year but with another competent back now in the running back room he will not see featured back touches. Gio is still the preferred add in ppr formats but those who still play in the odd standard or touchdown heavy league may want to take a harder look at Walton. Bernard should see plenty of open lanes as teams will focus on stopping AJ as their priority with the Bengals franchise runner on the mend. Pencil Bernard in as an upside RB3 as long as Mixon is on the shelf.
Mark Walton – Walton was a trendy first round rookie draft talent for leagues that drafted before the actual NFL draft but after landing behind a young workhorse in Joe Mixon he fell to the third behind names such as Jordan Wilkins and John Kelly. Now with Mixon on the shelf for at least two weeks Walton has a chance to strut his stuff in lieu of the Bengals possibly moving on from Gio this summer. Though Walton is expected to serve as the lesser committee back nd see Gio take more snaps it is Walton and not the more explosive Bernard who has legit every down tools. Add the 99 percent available Walton as an upside flex2 option for as long as Mixon is on the shelf.
AJ Green – This injury news slightly knocks Green’s value down a bit with opposing defenses no longer having to worry about stopping Joe Mixon. Green will likely still be ranked by us as a WR1 most weeks as the Bengals have an easy slate passing game wise until after their bye in week ten.
Andy Dalton – Andy Dalton gets a slight downgrade with this news as well. As mentioned above the Bengals can now expect opposing defenders to focus on stopping the pass, leaving better run lanes but mitigating Dalton’s week to week upside. Unless you are in the deepest of leagues you likely have Dalton as more of a streaming option than a QB1 and he can still be plugged in when your starter has a bad matchup.
