08-21-2022, 04:42 PM
(08-21-2022, 04:24 PM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: LAC were the ones I was most hesitant to put on that list, so I see where you're coming from. Ekeler does offer a lot as a receiver out of the backfield. I guess I am evaluating them as running backs that take carries rather than as an all around weapon. Mixon, as a runner and as a bell cow back, is superior to Ekeler in my opinion. If we replaced Mixon with Ekeler in the Bengals offense, I don't think it would make the offense better. Ekeler is good because he's a high volume target in the passing game. Last year, he had 94 targets whereas Mixon only had 48. Given our wide receivers, I don't know if taking almost 50 touches away from them and giving them to our running back would be a net gain. After all, Ekeler only averaged 6.9 yards per target, which isn't that much higher than Mixon's 6.5 yards per target.
For a comparison, Chase, Higgins and Boyd gained 11.4 yards, 9.9 yards and 8.8 yards per each of their respective targets. Even Uzomah averaged 7.8 yards per target.
I don't think it's unreasonable to believe that, if the offense were designed for it, Mixon could get just as many targets as Ekeler and would produce on nearly the same level while also being a better runner.
With all that said, having a reliable safety valve is really good so Ekeler vs Mixon is close.
Completely agree, they are different types of RB's. But I think Mixon has the edge because he can be a bruiser and a pass
catcher more so than Ekeler who is a really good pass catcher in the Chargers system. We run a completely different Offense
that doesn't feature the RB near as much in the passing game even if I wish we would more.
Evans I think might have a breakout year if he gets enough touches and is used like Ekeler.
