Cincinnati traded running back Joe Mixon to Houston on March…
Cincinnati traded running back Joe Mixon to Houston on March 13, 2024, for a seventh-round pick, No. 224 overall, that became safety Daijahn Anthony. Anthony has served primarily as a reserve and special-teams player. Mixon immediately topped 1,000 rushing yards for Houston and scored 12 total touchdowns in 2024, giving the Texans the substantially stronger early return.
Cincinnati Bengals Received
- pick 2024 seventh-round pick (224th overall, Daijahn Anthony )
Houston Texans Received
- player Joe Mixon
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Houston acquired running back Joe Mixon from Cincinnati on March 13, 2024, sending the Bengals a seventh-round selection in that year's draft. The pick settled at No. 224 overall, where Cincinnati selected safety Daijahn Anthony. What began as a modest veteran-for-late-pick transaction quickly became one of the clearer value gaps in this group.
Cincinnati's Return
Anthony gave the Bengals a young defensive back and special-teams option under an inexpensive rookie contract. He appeared in games as a reserve during his first two seasons, but he did not establish himself as a regular defensive starter. A hamstring injury interrupted his 2025 season. Seventh-round choices carry low expectations, so Cincinnati still extracted a legitimate roster asset from a veteran it intended to move.
Houston's Return
Mixon delivered immediate lead-back production. In 14 regular-season games during 2024, he carried 245 times for 1,016 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 36 passes for 309 yards and another score. That workload and scoring output gave Houston a proven centerpiece in the backfield for the price of one of the final selections in the draft.
Value in Hindsight
The Bengals' return was defensible given the circumstances, but the Texans obtained far more football value per unit of compensation. A seventh-round pick becoming a contributing reserve is acceptable. A seventh-round pick buying a 1,000-yard rusher with 12 total touchdowns is exceptional. Houston also received that production immediately, removing much of the uncertainty that normally accompanies late-round trade value.
Final Verdict
Houston Texans Win. Houston earns an A- for acquiring a productive feature back at a minimal draft cost. Cincinnati receives a C+ because Anthony has provided some roster and special-teams value, but the return has not approached Mixon's impact. The Texans converted late-round capital into high-end immediate production and won the trade comfortably.