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Marshawn Lynch Fading, Joe Mixon Trending up

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers linebacker Darrell Williams (49) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers linebacker Darrell Williams (49) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Marshawn Lynch to the Oakland Raiders appears to be in jeopardy these days. So the Raiders could end up with another running back from the Bay Area.

Latavius Murray’s departure left the Oakland Raiders with two scat-backs on the roster. So it is clear that the running back position has to be addressed at some point this offseason. Earlier, rumors of Marshawn Lynch coming out of retirement to play for the Raiders started.

Then the situation turned into more than just a rumor as he started to negotiate with the team. But those negotiations hit a snag to the point where the Raiders are willing to walk away. When GM Reggie McKenzie has a number in mind, it doesn’t usually go much higher.

And no matter where he’s from, McKenzie won’t give a 31-year-old running back the farm. There’s actually a pretty good running back prospect in the draft from nearby Oakley, California. Joe Mixon is it the best running back prospect in a strong 2017 NFL Draft class.

He has the elusiveness and versatility of Christian McCaffrey and at 6’1″, 228 pounds, he’s the same size as Leonard Fournette. And his 4.43 40 is the fastest of the top running back prospects. If you watch the kid on tape and look at his measurables, he’s clearly a top-10 talent.

But of course he has the incident where he broke the jaw of a female student hanging over him. Those that thought they knew Raiders owner Mark Davis thought he would never take him. They cite his domestic violence foundation with Raiders legend Fred Biletnikoff.

But as bad as Mixon’s act was, it wasn’t domestic violence so it’s not out of bounds for Davis. He has given McKenzie clearance to draft him and he has to be high on McKenzie’s board. Mixon may have something to do with why McKenzie won’t budge off his number for Lynch.

Stay tuned!

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