What to Know: ECU RB Keaton Mitchell taking official visit with Packers
By Paul Bretl
The Green Bay Packers will be having Eastern Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell in for an official top 30 visit prior to the draft.
Mitchell measures in at. 5’7″ and weighs 179 pounds. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 8.60, which included an impressive 40-yard dash time of 4.38 seconds.
Mitchell had three years of playing time at ECU, and that included 441 rushing attempts, averaging an impressive 6.5 yards per carry with 24 touchdowns to just two fumbles. In 2022 specifically, Mitchell totaled 1,325 rushing yards at a whopping 7.4 yards per attempt. He also found the end zone 13 times and ranked 13th among all running backs in missed tackles forced, along with being first in runs of 10 or more yards.
Mitchell was also used often as a pass-catcher and did so primarily out of the backfield. According to PFF, he rarely lined up out wide or in the slot. In three seasons, he hauled in 59 of his 72 targets and averaged 9.6 yards per catch while scoring three times. It’s worth mentioning that by PFF’s grading system, Mitchell did not hold up well as a blocker in pass protection, an important aspect to playing running back in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
For more on what Mitchell could bring to the Packers, here is a look at what Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft report:
“Small but speedy, Mitchell amassed over 2,900 scrimmage yards and 24 touchdowns over the last two seasons. He mashes the gas pedal and gets to top speed quickly. He can outflank defenses and chalk up a long run if defenses aren’t ready for him. However, he needs a clear point of entry inside and isn’t built to withstand the punishment that goes along with interior running in the NFL. Teams will need to have a plan for him, but he’s electric with the ball in his hands. His big-play potential could be hard to pass up for teams needing more juice.”
I fully expect the Packers to add a running back at some point in this year’s draft. For one, there is a lot of talent in the middle rounds, and with 2023 possibly being Aaron Jones’ last in Green Bay and AJ Dillon also set to hit free agency next offseason, there are some unknowns around this position in the not-so-distant future. On top of that, LaFleur has previously talked about the value of having a third running back to lean on.
When it comes to Mitchell specifically, he doesn’t fit the typical mold of what the Packers look for at the running back position because of his size. He could, however, fill a Tyler Ervin-like role as a gadget player–an element that is part of the LaFleur offense and one that the Packers have routinely looked to fill over the last few seasons. Although with limited experience, he could be another option on kick and punt returns as well.
The Green Bay Packers have 10 selections currently in the 2023 NFL Draft.