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No matter how the Seahawks feel about Ken Walker they should be in the market for a running back (or two) in the 2023 NFL draft.
No matter how the Seahawks feel about Ken Walker they should be in the market for a running back (or two) in the 2023 NFL draft. With Rashaad Penny and Travis Homer both leaving in free agency and no new backs coming in they’ll need to add depth behind their new starter.
Here are 12 running back prospects they could be targetting, including a couple they have held official meetings with.
Cleveland has plenty of intriguing options in the draft.
Nick Chubb is still one of the best running backs in the league but there isn’t much behind him for the Cleveland Browns right now on the depth chart. But Cleveland picked the right time to need a running back as this year’s class in the 2023 NFL Draft is loaded with talented playmakers.
Rather the team addresses the position early on the draft or on day three they should be able to walk away feeling good about their addition to the roster. You can watch this week’s episode here as we go through the top targets for the Browns in preparation for the draft in a couple of weeks.
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Another RB in the draft linked to the Bengals.
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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Mitchell led college football in runs that gained at least 10 yards in 2022 and was timed at 23.5 MPH
The Detroit Lions could be in the market for some added speed at running back. The team recently held a pre-draft meeting with East Carolina RB Keaton Mitchell.
In an interview with the Draft Network, Mitchell indicated he’s met with the Lions–among other teams. He did not specify if it was a virtual meeting or an official “top-30” visit.
The 5-foot-8, 178-pound Mitchell is noted for his game-breaking speed. No RB in college football had more runs that gained at least 10 yards than Mitchell did in 2022 for the Pirates.
How fast is Mitchell? His GPS-timed speed is 23.5 MPH, an elite time. He consistently topped 21 MPH during in-game tracking while at East Carolina.
It took Keaton Mitchell 4.1 secs & 35 yds to hit a max speed of 23.5 mph during his 4.3 40-yd dash. Mitchell maintained his max speed for ~5 yds.
🔹Max Speed: 23.5 mph
🔸Time to Max Speed: 4.1 sec
🔹Distance to Max Speed: 35.2 yds
🔸Max Speed Distance: 4.8 ydsVia @RAanalytics pic.twitter.com/9pexR4nrwT
— Cory Yates (@CoryRAanalytics) April 6, 2023
For some comparison, Lions RB D’Andre Swift was clocked at 18.3 MPH in his 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. His fastest recorded time in a Lions uniform is 20.7 MPH, via NextGen Stats. Mitchell was almost 3 MPH faster than Swift.
One name they have their eye on is Keaton Mitchell from ECU, who they had an official meeting with.
The Seahawks lost two of their running backs in free agency, with Rashaad Penny going to the Eagles and Travis Homer to the Bears. That means they will be in the market for at least one – possibly two – running back prospects in the 2023 NFL draft.
One name they have their eye on is Keaton Mitchell from ECU, who they had an official meeting with, per Justin Melo.
.@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
Mitchell ran for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in 33 games at ECU, averaging 6.5 yards per attempt. He added another 60 catches, 580 yards and three touchdowns as a receiver.
Mitchell’s size and agility make Darren Sproles a good pro comp. At the Scouting Combine, he measured in at 5-foot-8 and 179 pounds. He ran a 4.37 forty-yard dash and posted a 38″ vertical and a 10’6″ broad jump.
Here’s a look at his college highlight reel.
For now, Mitchell is projected to come off the board in the fifth round.
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The Green Bay Packers will host an official top-30 visit with East Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell.
The Green Bay Packers will host an official top-30 visit with East Carolina running back Keaton Mitchell.
He told reporters following his pro day that he has visits lined up with the Packers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Detroit Lions.
Mitchell might lack ideal size (5-8, 179) but not production. Over two seasons and 22 games, Mitchell rushed 357 times for 2,492 yards and 23 touchdowns while also catching 42 passes for 419 yards and a score. He returned six kickoffs over his collegiate career at East Carolina.
During the 2022 season, Mitchell forced 75 missed tackles and created 31 carries gaining 15 or more yards (first among running backs), per PFF.
At the combine, Mitchell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds, the third-fastest time among running backs. He also hit 38″ in the vertical leap and covered 10-6 in the broad jump.
Mitchell said teams want to see how he handles punt-returning duties, highlighting a potential special teams role at the next level. His quickness and open-field speed might make him a returning weapon or even a gadget weapon in the right offense at the next level.
The Packers have generally preferred bigger running backs who can handle the full spectrum of duties at the position. Mitchell might not be an every-down back who can run between the tackles or take on blitzers as a blocker consistently, but his speed and big-play potential will be intriguing to any team.
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The Browns have put themselves in a good position heading into the NFL Draft.
The Cleveland Browns had an efficient and successful NFL free agency period. Adding a big named defensive tackle and depth in the room, trading for a young and promising wide receiver in Elijah Moore, landing a true free safety, and bringing back a handful of their own, the Browns managed to stockpile new starters and add depth to their roster. And now this allows for them to enter the 2023 NFL Draft with the mindset of taking the best player available on the board rather than prioritizing a particular position. With players like wide receiver Marvin Mims and linebacker Ivan Pace Jr., there are plenty of mid-round prospects who meet the thresholds the Browns look for in young players as they fall back to pick 74.
Who can they come away with in this 2023 NFL Mock Draft?
What does a mock draft look like now that the Browns have acquired a receiver and slid back to pick 74?
The Cleveland Browns were able to fill the biggest remaining need after they traded with the New York Jets for former second-round wide receiver Elijah Moore on Wednesday. By filling most of the glaring holes on the roster, the team isn’t pigeon held into taking certain players at a position of need. No picking 32 spots later at pick 74, we have a perfect opportunity for another mock draft!
With this flexibility, the team can try and focus on the best player available approach. Though rookies could contribute if they are ready, having the ability to let them grow and develop first would be the best approach for the Browns long term. Let’s take a look at how the draft could play out now with the shake-up of the Elijah Moore trade.
How does free agency shift the draft plans of the Browns?
Step one of the off-season is well underway as the Cleveland Browns have added talent to their roster this week during NFL free agency. What better time for a 2023 NFL Mock Draft? The Browns needed to rebuild their defensive line for Jim Schwartz and have added an impressive young pass rusher as well as three defensive tackles including Dalvin Tomlinson.
After adding Juan Thornhill on Thursday the 2023 NFL Draft for the Browns will likely be with an eye past 2023. Having filled most of the starting roster holes in free agency the team won’t need rookies to have major roles barring injuries. Let’s look ahead at some young players that could develop into important role players in Cleveland.
The Panthers have been swinging for the fences this offseason. So, for our latest mock draft, we filled the card with some of this year’s most potent prospects.
Last Friday, the Carolina Panthers swung for the fences—and cleared them.
The team’s stunning acquisition of the 2023’s No. 1 overall pick was just the latest—and perhaps greatest—hit of what’s been a bold offseason. Between wrangling together an all-star coaching staff and taking control of the upcoming NFL draft, the Panthers are going all out.
So, for our newest mock, we’ll keep with that approach. Let’s risk it for the biscuit and go for some of this year’s most appealing upside.
