Report: Mixon off Falcons' draft board
Count the Atlanta Falcons among the teams that will pass on drafting controversial-yet-supremely-talented running back Joe Mixon.
The former Oklahoma rusher is off the Falcons' draft board, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports.
Mixon was caught on surveillance video punching a female Oklahoma student in 2014, breaking multiple bones in her face. Video of the incident was released this December. The altercation led to a season-long suspension for Mixon, delaying his freshman year until 2015.
When he got on the field, Mixon sparkled in his two seasons with the Sooners, rushing for 1,274 total yards and 10 touchdowns in 2016.
It should come as no surprise that the Falcons would keep their distance from Mixon. The franchise was ravaged by the dogfighting scandal that resulted in former star quarterback Michael Vick spending time in jail. As a result, Atlanta has proceeded with caution in regard to any player with a checkered past.
"That doesn't come from a head coach and general manager. Believe me, that comes from higher than us for sure," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "(Owner Arthur) Blank is very direct about it."
Reports cite the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins as other teams that will not use a draft pick on Mixon.