Lions GM disappointed Mixon isn't at combine, still has him on draft board

Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn is among those who believe the NFL made the wrong decision in barring Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon from the scouting combine.

Mixon wasn't invited to the event because he was captured on video in 2014 punching a woman in the face.

"It's really disappointing that he's not here," Quinn said, according to Sports Illustrated's Chris Burke. "We come here to see the best college football players ... so there's 330 (sic), 40 some off players here and for him not being here because of those issues, personally I don't think that's real fair because we have a lot of investigation that we want to do on him and to get him in one spot for all the teams would've been great."

It's a sentiment that has been echoed by others in the NFL, though not necessarily on the record.

Quinn revealed that Mixon remains on the Lions' draft board, a surprising admission at a time when team executives are extremely secretive.

The Lions need a running back and Mixon could be available in the draft at a steep discount. Quinn will have to ultimately decide whether his franchise is able to overlook Mixon's transgressions, and he'll have to do it without getting the chance to talk to Mixon at the combine.