Ravens UDFA Signings: Who's Most Likely to Make Baltimore's Roster?
After making six selections in the 2023 NFL Draft, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta and staff still had plenty of work to do, working what some call the draft's "eighth round."
The Ravens signed a lengthy class of undrafted free agents that includes Maryland receiver Dontay Demus, Nebraska tight end Travis Vokolek and East Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell.
But of the 18 players who agreed to terms with Baltimore, who's most likely to make the final roster? According to Pro Football Network's Ian Cummings, the answer is Mitchell.
"It was very surprising to see Keaton Mitchell go undrafted," Cummings writes. "Mitchell’s notably undersized at 5’8″, 180 pounds, but he’s a legitimate sparkplug in space with his 4.38 speed. He also has slippery running ability in congestion, as well as untapped receiving upside. Mitchell gives Baltimore something they don’t have in their rotation. He could very well stick around."
Mitchell, who played under his father, Anthony, at Eagles Landing Christian in McDonough, was one of the most dominant high school's players in Georgia across the last decade, finishing his career with a 54-2 record and as a four-time Class A Private champion.
Across his final two seasons, Mitchell ran for 4,347 yards and 88 touchdowns, including a 49-score junior season that ranks second all-time in Georgia.
Mitchell earned Class A Private Offensive Player of the Year and Class A Region 5 Player of the Year honors by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution while racking up over 5,000 all-purpose yards.
Away from the gridiron, Mitchell impressed as a track athlete, clocking a sub-11-second 100-meter dash and helped set a school record in the 4x100 meter relay.
This star-studded high school career led Mitchell to East Carolina, where he made an immediate impact, rushing for 443 yards and a pair of touchdowns across nine games while making two starts as a freshman.
The following year, Mitchell emerged as a star, earning first-team all-American Athletic Conference honors after leading the league in rushing yards (1,132) and all-purpose yards per game (115).
Firmly on the draft radar as a result of his breakout sophomore campaign, Mitchell saved his best season for last.
For the second consecutive year, he earned first-team All-AAC honors, this time accompanied by honorable mention All-American by Pro Football Focus after running for 1,452 yards and 14 touchdowns ... while average over seven yards per carry.
Perhaps most importantly, Mitchell is more than just an efficient runner - he's a threat out of the backfield and in the return game, as well. He hauled in 60 receptions for 580 yards and three touchdowns during his three collegiate seasons and averaged over 25 yards per kick return this past year.
Now, Mitchell is following in his father's footsteps as a professional football player - and gets to do it with the same organization.
Anthony Mitchell spent eight seasons in the NFL after going undrafted, ultimately playing a key part in the Ravens' 2001 Super Bowl run as he had a 90-yard return touchdown on a blocked field goal to take a fourth-quarter lead in an AFC Divisional Round victory over the Tennessee Titans.
But it's Keaton's time now ... and he certainly has the speed and skill set to produce similarly explosive plays in timely moments.
After hitting 22 miles per hour in a game at East Carolina, Mitchell earned a reputation for being extremely fast - which he cemented by running a 4.37 40-yard dash at the Combine.
The 21-year-old Mitchell down his game with SI's Raven Country and immediately went to his speed and playmaking instincts as the attributes he'll bring to Baltimore.
"Just a home-run hitter," Mitchell said. "Somebody that can make things happen, make something out of nothing - somebody that's got a sense for the endzone."
And with it all - the bloodlines, production, speed, playmaking ability and everything in between - Mitchell might just get to show off that "sense for the endzone" on Sunday's this fall.
You can follow Daniel Flick on Twitter at @DFlickDraft
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