Who Should I Start? Joe Mixon or Khalil Herbert

Thursday, March 14, 6:02 PM

New Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon signed a three-year, $27 million contract extension with the team on Thursday that includes $13 million guaranteed, according to a source. The Cincinnati Bengals were set to cut Mixon for salary cap purposes earlier this week but ended up trading him to the Texans instead. Devin Singletary, Houston's primary back last year, signed with the Giants in free agency. The 27-year-old Mixon, a Pro Bowler in 2021, goes from one potent offense to another and will be the Texans' No. 1 back, giving him clear RB1 upside in fantasy. In 17 starts for Cincy in 2023, Mixon had the fourth 1,000-yard season of his career while scoring nine rushing touchdowns on 257 carries. He added 52 receptions (64 targets) for 376 yards and another three TDs.

Sunday, January 7, 10:31 PM

Chicago Bears running back Khalil Herbert had another chance to see a bulk of the workload with D'Onta Foreman (coach's decision) out again in Week 18. The 25-year-old rushed 12 times for just 28 yards in the team's 17-9 loss to the Packers while also catching two passes for 13 yards. After rushing for 731 yards a year ago, Herbert couldn't take a step forward and ended the year with just 583 yards with similar volume. The Bears drafted Roschon Johnson in 2023, and Herbert failed to separate himself this year as the true lead back for the foreseeable future. While the Bears were a run-heavy team in 2023, which allowed Herbert to thrive at times, they will either endure massive offensive change or continue to have a quarterback who takes rushing opportunities away. Herbert will look to earn a full bell-cow role in 2024.