Vance Joseph seems comfortable with Oklahoma RB Joe Mixon

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back Joe Mixon (25) runs the ball against Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Carl Lawson (55) in the third quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph talked about Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon, among other things at the NFL owner’s meetings…

When the 2017 NFL Draft comes around, the Denver Broncos will have some difficult decisions to make as they put the finishing touches on building the roster. One area they are looking for an upgrade is at running back, an Oklahoma’s Joe Mixon has already been to Denver for an exclusive visit with the team.

NFL teams are limited to 30 visits, so clearly they think very highly of Mixon as a player to bring him in and get to know him as a person.

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Mixon’s off-field issues are well-documented at this point. He was involved in an incident in 2014 where he retaliated to a shove from a female student at Oklahoma by punching her in the face, breaking her jaw and cheekbone. He was suspended from Oklahoma’s football team for a season, and was given a one-year deferred sentence. This, according to a report from Mike Klis in Denver…

Mixon’s year away from Oklahoma didn’t come without significant consequence, and he’s since shown public remorse for his actions. That doesn’t make it right in everyone’s eyes, and some still have not forgiven Mixon for his colossal mistake.

As he moves on to the NFL, any decision to draft him will be a very calculated risk by his future employer, and the Denver Broncos have taken the necessary steps toward getting to know him.

Head coach Vance Joseph spoke on Mixon at the annual NFL owner’s meetings in Arizona, and sounded pretty comfortable with where he’s at, three years later.

"“I thought Joe was a nice young man,’’ Joseph said. “Obviously, he had an issue three or four years ago, but he’s owned it. We brought Joe in because he didn’t go to the combine. We brought him, we talked to him for a day. He’s owned it. He’s been remorseful for his mistake.’’– Report from Mike Klis"

We pegged Mixon to the Broncos in the second round of our latest seven-round Denver Broncos mock draft.

There’s no doubt Mixon would be an asset for the Broncos on the field, but would the team risk facing the consequences that could come from drafting someone with his past?

Those are the questions that have seemingly been answered, and if you listen to Vance Joseph, it doesn’t seem like the Broncos have much doubt he’s a changed person.