Who Should I Start? Keaton Mitchell or Brashard Smith

Tuesday, June 24, 11:08 PM

Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell suffered an ACL tear in his knee in his rookie year in 2023 but has shown the same speed and explosiveness in offseason workouts that he teased back in 2023 before his season-ending injury. Mitchell was still navigating physical and mental hurdles when he returned last November to average just 2.0 yards per carry in five regular-season games. The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes that the 23-year-old has looked quicker and more assertive during offseason workouts in recent weeks, which is a great development for the Ravens. Although Derrick Henry remains the RB1 workhorse in Baltimore, he's not getting any younger, and Mitchell is far too explosive not to be used in 2025. Mitchell has the most upside of the Ravens' backup RBs and would be a fine handcuff to Henry.

Wednesday, July 2, 6:32 PM

ESPN's Adam Teicher writes that judging from how rookie seventh-round running back Brashard Smith was used in offseason practices, the Kansas City Chiefs have plans for him. The 22-year-old ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at the scouting combine and could fit in nicely with other offensive skill players on the team, including receivers Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown and running back Elijah Mitchell. Smith was a receiver in college before moving to a RB at SMU in his final season, and the Chiefs got him the ball out of the backfield, from the slot and split out wide during spring workouts. Head coach Andy Reid knows a little something about finding ways to use speedy offensive weapons, so fantasy managers shouldn't complete turn away from Smith, even though it will be hard for him to secure a big role in his first year in the NFL.