More and more buzz continues to link the Cincinnati Bengals to running back prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL draft.
The latest is Keaton Mitchell out of East Carolina, with Justin Melo of the Draft Network noting that the Pirates star has met with the Bengals recently.
Mitchell ran for 1,452 yards and 14 touchdowns last year on a 7.2 average, catching 27 passes.
While Mitchell’s size (5’8″ and 180 pounds) is a knock to his draft stock, the verticality and big-time athleticism suggest he can be a productive rotational back in the pros.
Written another way, that’s the ideal draft fit for the Bengals in the mid-rounds. They need to replace Samaje Perine and potentially Joe Mixon, too.
Mitchell is one of a few running backs the Bengals have met with before the draft, with the Ezekiel Elliott situation still hanging in the background too.
.@ECUPiratesFB RB Keaton Mitchell ran a blazing 4.37 40 and leaped a 10-ft-6 broad.
Mitchell's stock is on the rise. Mitchell recently met w. Broncos, Giants, Packers, Bengals, Seahawks, Lions. Falcons Local Day 4/14.@_KeatonMitchell x @TheDraftNetworkhttps://t.co/Limig6Pil0
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 7, 2023
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