Who Should I Start? Deon Jackson or Keaton Mitchell

Wednesday, August 7, 6:33 PM

The New York Jets have signed running back Deon Jackson while releasing wide receiver Hamze El-Zayat in a related move. Jackson, who worked out with the Texans in July but did not sign a contract, will now compete for a depth role in the Jets' backfield during training camp. A Duke product, Jackson signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has spent most of his career with them, with brief stints at the Cleveland Browns and Giants last season. In 29 career games (27 with the Colts), he has recorded 283 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 223 receiving yards. The Jets recently experienced a void at running back following Tarik Cohen's retirement. Jackson will compete with Israel Abanikanda, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, and Xazavian Valladay to back up Breece Hall.

Monday, November 11, 12:17 PM

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that running back Keaton Mitchell's role in the offense could expand moving forward. "I do see a little bit of a three-headed monster there," Harbaugh said of the team's backfield that also includes the NFL's leading rusher in Derrick Henry and pass-catching specialist Justice Hill. Mitchell finally recovered from a torn ACL that he suffered in his rookie season in 2023 to make his season debut in last Thursday night's one-point win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but the 22-year-old wasn't involved much, seeing two snaps on offense. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per catch in eight games last year and has enough explosive abilities as a ball-carrier to warrant a bench stash in fantasy leagues down the stretch, especially if you also have Henry rostered.