The 2026 NFL Draft is behind everyone, but there are still multiple free agents who are getting ready to sign soon, which means Joe Mixon could find a new home before the season begins. Teams like the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks have found their new starting running backs; there are still teams out there looking for backup services. Teams can resort to the free agent market right before the season if they’re not satisfied with where they’re at on the downhill running game. After missing the entire 2025 season with the Houston Texans, Mixon remains as one of the top running backs available at No. 2 behind Najee Harris and ahead of Austin Ekeler.
Mixon is not the same player he was with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2017. The former second-round pick spent the first seven seasons with the Bengals, recording four years’ worth of 1,000 yards rushing. Nobody should expect Mixon to that level, but at 29-years-old, he’s still an ol’ reliable back that can fit into an offense when healthy. While Zach Bachar of Bleacher Report believes the Seahawks and Jaguars are potential fits, there are better destinations for the veteran running back.
Best Landing Spots for Top NFL Running Back Free Agent Joe Mixon After 2026 NFL Draft
Potential Destinations
Dallas Cowboys
After one of the most successful drafts, including selecting Ohio State product Caleb Downs, the Dallas Cowboys did not select a running back. While the team is rolling the dice on Jaydon Blue and Malik Davis to step up, the team could use some experience to help Javonte Williams. The team is too stacked, but they lack veteran depth in their running back unit, and even though Mixon won’t start, he’ll be a decent 1-2 punch for Williams.
The Cowboys signed Miles Sanders last offseason, but that ended with a season-ending injury. It might not happen to Mixon, so the team could give it a try to see if he can get something going in one of the most talented offenses in a long time.
Denver Broncos
Despite the Broncos adding Jonah Coleman with the No. 108 pick, the team was eyeing Seahawks first-round selection Jadarian Price. This means that even though the Broncos brought back JK Dobbins, he has some competition behind him. Denver has seen what RJ Harvey can do, so the fact that they missed on Price as that 1-2 punch, they could target Mixon for that role.
It won’t be the perfect role in the world if he arrives in Denver, but it gives the running back room another body to lean on if Dobbins goes down.
Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts don’t necessarily need a running back, given they have Jonathan Taylor and DJ Giddens, but the offense did lose WR Michael Pittman to a trade. After being forced to cut ties due to cap space, this means the team will likely lean more on the run game. While they did draft Kentucky product Seth McGowan to compete for the RB3 spot, the team could bring Mixon at the same time.
Mixon probably won’t start ahead of Giddens, but it would give the Colts another RB option to rotate around to help QB Daniel Jones in the backend if he’s lacking wideouts.
