The Baltimore Ravens have a roster littered with explosive playmakers and lockdown defenders. They have so much talent scattered around the field that some unfortunately cannot be on the active roster come gameday. It is a great problem to have.
However, some of those are young players loaded with potential, including third-year running back Keaton Mitchell. Mitchell has been a healthy scratch through two weeks of action. It is becoming crystal clear that he is piled under a stacked running back room.
With Derrick Henry taking a large majority of the carries, there are not many opportunities left. Justice Hill handles responsibilities on passing downs due to his capabilities as a pass catcher and blocker, and Rasheen Ali contributes as a kick returner and on special teams coverage.
It looked like Mitchell had a chance to return to the field on Monday night against the Detroit Lions after Ali was in concussion protocol following the team’s Week 2 win over the Cleveland Browns. Ali was a full participant in practice on Friday and Saturday, though, meaning he will be back returning kicks in Week 3.
Mitchell is the odd man out. He is simply too talented to keep off the field, and the Ravens may have to come to terms with him being a potential trade candidate. After an Achilles injury to Los Angeles Chargers running back Najee Harris, a trade to the West Coast is starting to make too much sense.
Ravens fans can’t ignore the trade signs building around Keaton Mitchell
The combination of lack of play time and Harris’ season-ending injury makes Los Angeles a prime landing spot for Mitchell. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton needs a partner in crime as he continues to adjust to the NFL level, and Mitchell could be that guy.
The Ravens and Chargers also have a strong relationship. Baltimore Head Coach John Harbaugh’s brother Jim is leading a lethal Los Angeles team this year, and his Offensive Coordinator is former Baltimore play caller Greg Roman. The connections are there to agree on a potential deal, but Ravens General Manager Eric DeCosta would want a lucrative return if he were to negotiate with an AFC contender.
While Mitchell suffered a horrific knee injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars in his rookie campaign, he has returned to being the electrifying running back Ravens fans have grown to love. He dazzled in 2023, toting the rock 47 times for 396 yards and two touchdowns, and we saw glimpses of that in the preseason.
The 23-year-old played just one preseason game this year, but it was all he needed. In the opener against the Indianapolis Colts, he ran nine times for 68 yards and a score. His playmaking ability out of the backfield is evident, but John Harbaugh needs to see more from him on special teams, and he has yet to see that, giving Ali the edge early in 2025.
Mitchell is a player that teams would hurt to depart with. He is an elite playmaker who could make Baltimore's league-leading offense all the more lethal. However, if the Chargers make an enticing offer, the former East Carolina standout could finally get his moment in the sun this year.