Is Ravens’ Keaton Mitchell the Next Breakout Fantasy Running Back | When to Consider Adding Mitchell
Fantasy owners are always searching for the next breakout star, especially at the running back position. Earlier this week, we wrote about Baltimore Ravens back Keaton Mitchell, and we’ve decided to dive a little deeper into Mitchell and his future.
We’ll explain Mitchell’s current situation, try and predict what kind of role he’ll play soon and then let you know when to add him in various types of leagues.
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Keaton Mitchell Fantasy Outlook
Our charts show that Mitchell is currently owned in 15% of leagues. He’s not starting in any leagues, and he shouldn’t be, as he’s yet to have played a snap in the regular season.
Mitchell opened the regular season on the injured reserve list with a shoulder sprain. It was reported Wednesday that Mitchell was going to be activated from the IR list, which starts a 21-day practice window during which the team will need to make a decision on him.
Given the early season injury to J.K. Dobbins, who is out for the season, and injuries Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are dealing with, the Ravens could use another option out of the backfield.
Edwards is currently the leader of the group, with 193 rushing yards and a touchdown on 44 attempts. He’s only gotten 38 touches in the three games since Dobbins’ injury.
Hill had a 14-touch effort back in week 2, but has been dinged up since. He’s averaging just 3.8 yards a carry, with 83 yards on 22 attempts, but has scored twice.
Melvin Gordon and Kenyan Drake are currently on the team’s practice squad. Gordon has attempted 13 rushes, gaining 53 yards so far, while Drake had one carry for no yards. Neither guy would likely be playing if it wasn't for the Dobbins' injury, and Hill and Edwards' ailments.
Mitchell was an undrafted free agent signing of the Ravens, so the team doesn’t have any big obligation to play him, but he did show some flashes in the preseason.
Mitchell had a long run of 9 yards while gaining 11 yards on six carries in the first preseason game. He also caught a pass for 9 additional yards.
In the second preseason game, Mitchell broke off a 31-yard run, while catching a 6-yard pass.
Mitchell played for East Carolina at the college level. He gained over 1,000 yards in his final two seasons, scoring 23 touchdowns on the ground over that span. He also caught over 20 passes and went for 250+ receiving yards in each of those seasons. He showed he can do a bit of everything on the field, which is definitely a plus when it comes to a backup player looking to earn more snaps and touches.
Listed at just 5-foot-8 and 191 pounds and with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time, he can provide the Ravens’ backfield with a little more speed and elusiveness than the 6-1, 238-pound Edwards. Seeing as Hill hasn’t done all that much in his time with Baltimore, Mitchell at least should get an opportunity to at least be a complementary backfield option to Edwards.
When Should You Add Mitchell
In a typical redraft league, Mitchell doesn’t hold all that much value right now. If you are in a league of 14+ teams and the waiver wire is thin at running back, then maybe Mitchell deserves a little consideration.
Mitchell is more a target for dynasty leagues, or leagues with deep rosters. If you have Edwards, Mitchell might be a solid guy to scoop up for insurance should the top back go down with another injury.
If you don’t have Edwards and are simply looking at a player with potential to break out later in the season, then grabbing Mitchell now might be the move. I wouldn’t make it a top priority to add Mitchell, instead only adding him if you have the space available.
It probably will be a bit before Mitchell is able to factor into the Ravens’ gameplan. I wouldn’t start him the first week he’s available, unless Edwards is hurt and the rookie is expected to take on the lead role. I’d heavily consider the youngster now instead of waiting for him to have a breakout performance. In deep leagues, you need to hit on a few guys in situations like Mitchell. Given the team’s current backfield state, he’s one to either add now or monitor closely.
