In a conference call with reporters on Thursday, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said that he expects Joe Mixon to be drafted in the 2nd round of the 2017 NFL Draft, according to The Oklahoman.
Kiper said, “You look at Tyreek Hill was a fifth round pick of the Chiefs, a controversial fifth-round pick and he ends up having a great rookie year and helps the Chiefs get into the playoffs and win a lot of games and was a key performer. Mixon, on ability, is the fifth-best running back with a second-round grade. Will he go a little lower than that? Maybe.”
Of course, Kiper was referring to Mixon’s off-field issues, including punching Amelia Molitor in the summer of 2014, along with the foolish parking ticket altercation from this past fall.
Other Sooners Kiper referred to was Charles Walker, who dealt with an injury for most of the season, but Kiper said, “On ability, Walker, if you throw everything out, had he played a full year this year, he’d have been a first round pick this year, in my opinion. Now, you’re looking down the line at him as the seventh-best defensive tackle with a second or third round possibility.”
Kiper also believes Samaje Perine and Dede Westbrook could be early round picks.
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