NFL Draft: Ravens Targeting RB on Day Three?
As the clock begins to tick down to the start of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens enter this year with a lot of uncertainty.
And despite reaching the postseason following a 10-7 campaign a season ago, Baltimore's five draft picks this year carry a lot more weight than in years past.
With their first selection coming at the No. 22 spot, oddsmakers predict the Ravens to select a cornerback (+100) or a wide receiver (+160) in the first round.
However, their later selections are where it gets interesting for the Ravens. Holding one day-two selection (No. 86) and three day-three picks (No. 124, No. 157 and No. 199) Baltimore could go in multiple different directions with those four.
With injuries impacting the Ravens running back room over the past several seasons, they could be in the market for a sleeper pick in the later rounds.
One under-the-radar option later on in the draft? East Carolina running Keaton Mitchell, which Jack McKessy of The Draft Network listed Baltimore as one of four potential destinations.
“Both of the Ravens’ top two running backs, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, are set to become free agents after the 2023 season," McKessy wrote. "They also both tore their ACLs in 2021, and Dobbins (at least) had noticeably lost a step since his return from that injury in 2022. It could be that Dobbins wasn’t 100 percent when he returned, but if Baltimore wants to get a bit younger at the position and bring in an explosive, speedy guy later in the draft to make up for Dobbins’ step back, Mitchell is an excellent fit. The ECU product also brings more to the position as a pass-catcher than Dobbins, Edwards, and Justice Hill.”
A projected day-three selection, Mitchell racked up 2,584 yards in the AAC over the past two seasons, while also being named an honorable mention All-American in 2022.
Standing at 5-8, Mitchell is a viable pass-catcher as well, securing 27 receptions for 252 yards and a touchdown in 2022.
At 21, the two-time first-team AAC recipient would add youth to this Ravens running back room with Dobbins, Edwards and Hill all at least 24 years old.
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