Houston Texans' Joe Mixon Could Be In For Statistical Leap in 2024

The Texans may have gotten a steal in Joe Mixon.

With the buzz surrounding Houston's trade for Stefon Diggs, it's easy to overlook the acquisition of ex-Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon. Doing so would be a mistake, considering the ball carrier gives Houston a dynamic, balanced offensive attack.

Mixon logged 1,034 rushing yards with nine touchdowns on 257 carries last season. He caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three scores. Kevin Patra of NFL.com believes he'll improve those numbers with the Texans. Mixon also caught 52 passes for 376 yards and three scores. 

Cincinnati Bengals halfback Joe Mixon (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter

Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY

"Assuming Mixon picks up where (Devin) Singletary left off, Mixon should be working with the same kind of volume he received in Cincinnati, and he should be able to hit his production from last season," Patra wrote. "He's joining an offense that wants to run the ball. Even if the recent trade for Stefon Diggs portends more passing by the Texans in 2024, it also ensures that Mixon will see a ton of light boxes." 

Singletary inked a three-year deal with the New York Giants in March, one day before the Bengals dealt Mixon to Houston. Singletary took over RB1 duties last season, rushing for 898 yards and four scores on 216 carries. His production took a significant leap over the last 10 games of the season when he was named the starter, totaling 167 carries for 715 yards over that stretch. 

Last season was Mixon's fourth time becoming a 1,000-yard rusher. He would've had a case for six straight if injuries didn't shorten his 2020 and 2022 campaigns.