Niner Noise
FanSided

The top NFL player to watch from each team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) throws against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) carries the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) carries the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive back Daniel Thomas (24) in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Bengals — Running Back Joe Mixon

Just like the Panthers and Cardinals, the Cincinnati Bengals are another one of those teams coming off an underwhelming and underachieving season last year.

We shouldn’t count out the Bengals passing game — at least in the regular season — with quarterback Andy Dalton under center. His prolific passing efforts will be a primary factor in 2017. Watching the chemistry develop between he and rookie wideout John Ross will be fun.

Yet the entirety of focus will fall on rookie running back Joe Mixon, the controversial Oklahoma prospect taken in Round 2 of the NFL Draft.

We know Mixon’s checkered past — the incident where he punched a woman in a restaurant.

Regardless how promising Mixon’s on-field efforts may be, his red flags are going to be what follows him throughout the season for better or worse.

The Bengals have been willing to look past off-the-field worries before, and they’ll have to do so again.

So Mixon will have to overcome not just the difficulties associated with being a first-year player, but also a past that won’t be forgotten.