Keaton Mitchell 2025 NFL Redraft Outlook: Preseason Hero or Potential Difference-Maker?

Ravens fans, buckle up, because Keaton Mitchell is making a serious case to become Baltimore’s next breakout star. The young running back is turning heads, not just among fans, but within the Ravens organization, a team that prides itself on its physical brand of football.

After an explosive rookie season in 2023, where Mitchell averaged a jaw-dropping 8.4 yards per carry, the ECU product faced a heartbreaking setback with a season-ending injury. Fast forward to the 2025 preseason, and the guy who once seemed like a rising star is back, reminding everyone why his name was buzzing just two years ago.  

Keaton Mitchell 2023-2024 Stats and Fantasy Production 

During the Ravens’ preseason opener against the Colts, Mitchell wasn’t just good; he was electric. Finishing the night with nine carries for 68 yards and punching in a touchdown, Mitchell displayed the vision, quickness, and top-end speed that once made him a fan favorite. One particular play had fans at M&T Bank Stadium on their feet, as Mitchell broke through the line of scrimmage and left defenders tripping over themselves.  

What stood out even more, however, was Mitchell’s ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hasn’t been shy in praising Mitchell’s ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. “His speed and versatility are hard to ignore,” Harbaugh noted during training camp. Those words aren’t empty hype; Mitchell’s explosiveness as a dual-threat gives the Ravens offense a dynamic wrinkle to work with.

Of course, there’s a massive roadblock on Mitchell’s path to regular-season reps, and his name is Derrick Henry. Baltimore’s star running back remains the team’s offensive engine, and rightfully so. Add in Justice Hill, the Ravens’ dependable RB2, and it’s clear Mitchell is fighting for scraps in this crowded backfield.  

Still, the preseason is about making a case, and Mitchell is doing just that. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken and the Ravens coaching staff saw flashes of what Mitchell offers during that Colts game, and while Henry may continue to dominate touches, having a change-of-pace back like Mitchell could be the ace up their sleeve. Against teams stacking the box to contain Henry, Mitchell’s quick-hitter capabilities and receiving chops might be exactly the kind of mismatch Baltimore can exploit in key spots.  

Keaton Mitchell 2025 Fantasy Outlook