2025 Fantasy Football Outlook for Keaton Mitchell: Explosive Playmaker Poised to Emerge as a League-Winning Running Back Option
Keaton Mitchell enters the 2025 fantasy football season as one of the most intriguing young running backs in the league. After showing flashes of brilliance in a limited role with the Baltimore Ravens in 2023 and suffering an untimely ACL tear that sidelined him for the end of that campaign and most of 2024, Mitchell now returns to a backfield that has experienced some turnover and uncertainty. For fantasy football managers looking for upside, speed, and potential breakout stars, Mitchell may just be the kind of late-round gem who helps win leagues.
Mitchell’s skill set is unique, even by NFL standards. A 5-foot-8, 186-pound lightning bolt out of East Carolina, he went undrafted in 2023 due to concerns about size and workload sustainability. But from the moment he took the field for Baltimore, it was clear his speed was different. In 2023, he logged multiple long touchdown runs, broke off chunk gains with ease, and averaged an eye-popping 8.4 yards per carry on 47 rushing attempts. While that came in a small sample size, it was more than enough to show the league that he deserved a bigger role.
Heading into 2025, the Ravens’ backfield will look markedly different from the group Mitchell once competed with. Veterans like Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are no longer on the roster, and although the team brought in a few complementary backs during the 2024 season to fill the gap, none are locked in as a long-term RB1. The team’s offensive identity under head coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Todd Monken still revolves around a dynamic run game, and Mitchell has the tools to be the featured back if he can stay healthy.
That “if” looms large, of course. Mitchell’s recovery from his ACL tear has gone well by all public accounts, and he participated in the Ravens’ offseason program with no reported setbacks. But players coming off ACL injuries, especially those whose game relies so heavily on speed and change of direction, face unique challenges. Will Mitchell retain his elite burst? Will he be hesitant to cut? Will Baltimore limit his workload early in the year? These are the kinds of questions that fantasy managers must answer before investing heavily.
The case for optimism, though, is compelling. Mitchell’s pre-injury tape showed a player with rare acceleration and vision. He isn’t a bruiser between the tackles, but he doesn’t need to be. The Ravens’ offensive line, led by All-Pro tackle Ronnie Stanley and a group of mauling interior linemen, creates wide lanes for speedsters like Mitchell to exploit. More importantly, Lamar Jackson’s presence as a dual-threat quarterback gives running backs added room to operate. Defenses must account for Jackson’s legs on every play, and that creates hesitation that players like Mitchell can use to their advantage.
Additionally, Baltimore’s passing game remains dangerous, with Jackson throwing to a talented group of wideouts and tight ends that includes Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman. That balance makes it harder for opposing defenses to stack the box or key on any one player. Mitchell is also a capable pass catcher—a skill that could vault him into full PPR stardom if utilized consistently. In fact, during his 2023 stint, Mitchell showcased soft hands and route-running ability on screens and swing passes, suggesting he could fill a true dual-threat role out of the backfield.
From a fantasy perspective, Mitchell’s upside hinges on usage. If the Ravens give him 12–15 touches per game, including work in the red zone and passing game, he can be a top-20 running back in all formats. He has home-run potential on every touch, and his ability to flip field position or score from anywhere makes him the kind of high-variance, high-reward player that savvy managers love to stash on their rosters. However, if the team limits him to change-of-pace work behind a more physical lead back, his ceiling drops dramatically.
So what do fantasy drafters do with Mitchell in 2025?
As of early projections, Mitchell is going in the late rounds of most best-ball and redraft formats, often around the RB40 range. That’s a spot reserved for handcuffs, committee backs, or fliers with big upside. Mitchell checks all of those boxes. But in keeper and dynasty formats, he’s a much hotter commodity. At just 23 years old, with elite speed and room to grow into a bigger role, he’s a player worth holding even if he starts the season slowly. His potential is too tantalizing to ignore.
Mitchell also provides value in DFS formats, where his speed and big-play ability give him a shot at smashing value on any given week. While his floor may be low on weeks where he gets limited touches, his ceiling is among the highest of any mid-priced RB option. If he becomes a bigger part of the offensive game plan, he could become a weekly starter priced below his production—a recipe for winning tournaments.
Another factor working in Mitchell’s favor is the Ravens’ schedule. Baltimore plays several teams with questionable run defenses in 2025, including matchups against the Raiders, Texans, and Panthers. These games offer prime opportunities for Mitchell to feast if he’s featured. Additionally, playing in the AFC North means tough divisional games, but also physical matchups where speed and elusiveness can change the complexion of a game.
Intangibly, Mitchell brings an edge that the Ravens love. He runs with heart, finishes his runs, and doesn’t shy away from contact despite his smaller frame. He’s the kind of underdog story that the Ravens have historically embraced—a chip-on-the-shoulder playmaker with the work ethic to match his talent. If he stays healthy, Baltimore may have no choice but to make him a bigger part of the offense.
For fantasy managers, the best approach to Mitchell is one of cautious optimism. Draft him with an eye on upside, but don’t rely on him as a starter out of the gate. Monitor his snap counts, health updates, and usage closely in the preseason. If the Ravens talk about easing him in or if he’s being held back early in the season, patience will be key. But if he gets hot—and history says he can—then he’s the kind of player who could go from bench stash to weekly starter in a matter of weeks.
Ultimately, fantasy football is about predicting opportunity, talent, and game script. Keaton Mitchell checks the talent box emphatically. Opportunity seems poised to increase as Baltimore reshapes its backfield. And game script? The Ravens, with Jackson under center and a playoff-caliber roster, will likely play from ahead often, giving Mitchell plenty of chances to salt away games late. That combination makes him an extremely appealing late-round target.
In sum, Keaton Mitchell is one of the most exciting running back prospects flying under the radar in 2025. With elite speed, a favorable offensive system, and an open path to touches, he has all the ingredients to become a breakout star. He’s not without risk—ACL recovery, potential workload management, and competition for touches remain factors—but the reward could be massive. For fantasy football managers willing to take the plunge, Mitchell could be this year’s breakout story—the kind of player who turns a solid roster into a championship contender.
