Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens

When the Baltimore Ravens selected running back Keaton Mitchell in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, many analysts viewed him as a “project”—a small, speed-focused player with raw talent but questions about how he’d fit in a physical AFC North. Six months later, Mitchell has emerged as one of the Ravens’ most exciting offensive weapons, his potential fully unlocked by a coaching staff that tailored its scheme to his strengths. From jet sweeps that leverage his 4.38 40-yard dash speed to pass-catching roles that highlight his soft hands, the Ravens have turned Mitchell from a developmental prospect into a game-changer. Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens explores how the team’s strategic adjustments, trust in his abilities, and willingness to let him shine have transformed his career—and boosted the Ravens’ playoff hopes. For Ravens Nation, Mitchell’s rise is a reminder of the franchise’s knack for finding and developing hidden talent.

Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens begins with his breakout moment in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, a game that marked a turning point in both his season and the Ravens’ offense. Entering the game, Mitchell had seen limited snaps—mostly on special teams or as a third-down change-of-pace back. But with starter Derrick Henry nursing a minor ankle injury, the Ravens turned to Mitchell to fill a larger role. He didn’t disappoint. On his first touch of the game, Mitchell took a jet sweep 35 yards for a touchdown, using his speed to outrun Denver’s defensive backs to the end zone. Later, he added a 22-yard reception on a screen pass, where he broke two tackles and nearly scored again. By game’s end, Mitchell had 120 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ 31-17 win. “We knew Keaton had this in him—we just needed to give him the opportunity,” head coach John Harbaugh said after the game. The performance wasn’t a fluke; it was proof that Mitchell could thrive when the Ravens designed plays to his strengths. For Mitchell, the game was a validation of his hard work. “I’ve been waiting for this moment,” he said. “The coaches trusted me, and I wanted to pay that trust back.”

A key factor in unlocking Mitchell’s potential has been the Ravens’ willingness to adapt their playcalling to his unique skill set. Unlike Henry—who excels at power running between the tackles—Mitchell is a speedster who thrives on outside runs, jet sweeps, and screen passes. The Ravens’ offensive staff, led by coordinator Todd Monken, has crafted a “package” of plays specifically for Mitchell: quick-hitting outside runs that let him use his speed before defenses can set, screen passes that turn short gains into long touchdowns, and even occasional wildcat snaps where he can act as a runner or passer. One of the most effective plays has been the “speed sweep,” where Mitchell lines up in the slot, takes a quick handoff, and uses his acceleration to turn the corner. Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 13, this play resulted in a 40-yard touchdown, with Mitchell outrunning the entire Raiders secondary. “We don’t ask Keaton to be someone he’s not,” Monken explained. “We build plays around what he does best—speed, agility, the ability to make defenders miss. That’s how you unlock a player’s potential.” Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens notes that this tailored approach has paid off: Mitchell averages 6.2 yards per carry, the highest on the team, and has scored 5 touchdowns in his last six games.

Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens also delves into the role of the Ravens’ coaching staff—specifically running backs coach Willie Taggart—in refining Mitchell’s game and building his confidence. Taggart, who has a reputation for developing young running backs, worked closely with Mitchell in the offseason and early regular season to fix small mechanical flaws: improving his vision when reading defensive lines, refining his cutback ability to avoid tackles, and teaching him to use his speed strategically (not just to outrun defenders, but to set up blocks). One of Taggart’s key adjustments was helping Mitchell learn to “slow down to speed up”—using short, quick steps to read defenses before exploding into open space. The result was evident in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Mitchell had a 28-yard run that featured a quick cutback to avoid a tackle, then a burst of speed to gain extra yards. “Coach Taggart has been like a mentor to me,” Mitchell said. “He’s helped me turn my speed into a weapon, not just a trait.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this coaching investment has been invaluable. Taggart’s ability to refine Mitchell’s skills has turned a raw prospect into a reliable contributor—one who can complement Henry and keep defenses off balance.

Another way the Ravens have unleashed Mitchell’s potential is by using him in a “dual-threat” role, both as a runner and a pass-catcher. Early in the season, Mitchell was rarely targeted in the passing game, but the Ravens have since expanded his role to include slot receiver duties and screen passes. Against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15, Mitchell caught 4 passes for 65 yards, including a 19-yard reception where he lined up as a slot receiver and beat a Dolphins linebacker to the end zone (though he was tackled just short). This versatility has made the Ravens’ offense harder to defend: defenses can’t just prepare for Mitchell as a runner—they have to account for him as a receiver, too. “Keaton’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield or line up in the slot gives us so many options,” quarterback Lamar Jackson said. “When he’s on the field, defenses have to spread out, which opens up holes for Derrick or opportunities for our wide receivers.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this dual-threat role has been a game-changer in close games. In Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals, Mitchell’s 25-yard screen pass reception set up the Ravens’ game-winning touchdown—a play that likely wouldn’t have been possible if the Cardinals hadn’t been focused on stopping his running.

Mitchell’s unleashed potential has also had a ripple effect on the Ravens’ entire offense, making it more dynamic and harder to game-plan against. With both Henry (power) and Mitchell (speed) in the backfield, the Ravens can alternate between grinding out yards and hitting big plays—keeping defenses guessing on every down. Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, this balance was on full display: Henry rushed for 95 yards and a touchdown between the tackles, while Mitchell added 80 yards and a touchdown on outside runs and receptions. The result was a 24-10 win that secured the Ravens a wild-card spot. “Having both Derrick and Keaton is like having two different weapons,” Monken said. “Defenses can’t adjust to one style—they have to prepare for both. That’s the beauty of what we’ve built here.” For the Baltimore Ravens, this backfield tandem has been a key to their late-season success. Mitchell’s speed complements Henry’s power, and vice versa—creating an offense that can adapt to any defense and any game situation.

Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens concludes with Mitchell emerging as not just a role player, but a key part of the Ravens’ playoff plans. His 850 all-purpose yards and 7 touchdowns have made him one of the most exciting young players in the NFL, and his story has become a fan favorite in Baltimore. From autograph signings where kids line up to meet “the fast guy” to viral highlight reels of his touchdowns, Mitchell has quickly become a beloved figure in Ravens Nation. “Keaton’s rise is what football is all about,” Harbaugh said. “A young player works hard, the team trusts him, and he takes advantage of his opportunity. That’s the Ravens way.” As the Ravens head into the playoffs, Mitchell’s potential will be more important than ever. Defenses will be focused on stopping Henry and Jackson, which could open up even more opportunities for Mitchell to make game-changing plays. In the end, Keaton Mitchell's Potential Unleashed by the Baltimore Ravens isn’t just a story about one player’s success—it’s a story about how a team’s trust, strategy, and coaching can turn potential into greatness.