By acquiring Mixon, Houston can bolster its youthful offensive core with an accomplished and dependable ball-carrier. According to the team's skill position player depth chart, he is positioned as follows:
- QB: C.J. Stroud, Davis Mills
- RB: Joe Mixon, Dameon Pierce
- WR: Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Robert Woods, Noah Brown
- TE: Dalton Schultz
The Texans have roughly $50.1 million in salary cap room, according to Over The Cap. In 2024, the last year of his contract, Mixon is expected to earn $5.75 million, including a $3 million roster bonus that is due this Sunday, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. His salary being recorded on the books won't stop Houston from making other purchases throughout the offseason.
In 2023, Mixon made his Bengals debut in all 17 games. He ran for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns on 257 touches, and he also added 376 yards and three additional touchdowns from 52 receptions. In his seven-year career, it was his fourth season with 1,000 yards or more.
Since joining the NFL as a second-round choice in the 2017 draft, Mixon has been a workhorse running back and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2021. His 6,412 career running yards rank third in Bengals franchise history. He has over 175 carries in six seasons.
After Devin Singletary led the team with 898 yards in the previous season, the Texans were predicted to look to upgrade at running back. With Singletary's three-year contract completed on Monday, the New York Giants now have the opportunity to move big on Houston's roster.
For Stroud, who won Offensive Rookie of the Year following his incredible NFL debut, adding Mixon should be a game-changer. Stroud, who benefits from play-action and deep passes, will have a three-down back who can also be a factor in the passing game.
The Texans are among the league's quickest-rising teams; they won the AFC South and made it to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Mixon's signing makes Houston much more of a contender in the AFC for the upcoming campaign.