The 2020 NFL season is upon us and that means fantasy football is back as DraftKings and other platforms provide the ultimate opportunity for virtual success on Sunday. In Week 1, with a rookie at quarterback (Joe Burrow) and a star wideout returning from injury (AJ Green), the obvious choice to start in fantasy football this week is Joe Mixon.
Blessed with a new contract, Mixon is set for a breakout campaign as a running back and a solid Week 1 performance against the Los Angeles Chargers could be the springboard towards a huge season for the former Oklahoma Sooners star.
Mixon is a top-8 running back in DraftKings non-PPR rankings and he’s entering this season confident after averaging 17.4 PPR points per game during the final seven weeks of the 2019 season and after having at least 136 rushing yards in three of his final four outings, along with at least 3 catches per outing.
Such output means Mixon is taking the next step as a pass catcher and he should be Joe Burrow’s security blanket during a rookie season that’ll have some rough moments.
Mixon’s opponent, the Chargers’ defense and special teams, had some disappointing moments last season in part to playmaking safety Derwin James missing 11 games. James will now miss the entire 2020 NFL season, adding more stress on the backend. James would have been the perfect counter to Mixon for the Chargers in the box.
With the return of offensive tackle Jonah Williams (shoulder), look for Mixon to test the Chargers front seven early and often on Sunday.
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