KeatonMitchell

News: 2 days agoChargers OC Mike McDaniel said Monday that Mitchell will have an offensive role on game days this season, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports.

Spin: McDaniel specifically mentioned all three of Omarion Hampton, Kimani Vidal and Mitchell will have roles in the offense. "All three of those guys will start at that point given the nature of the NFL," McDaniel said. "I will use all three of those guys every game." Mitchell signed a two-year, $9.25 million deal with the Bolts in the offseason, and that's not chump change for a running back, so the money itself suggests McDaniel has a vision for him. Armed with a 4.37 40 time and elite burst, Mitchell is a dream fit in McDaniel's offense that is built on speed. The Chargers have already been experimenting with Mitchell in the passing game this summer. He's a high-upside, lottery-ticket pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts.

ESPN Fantasy Projection: Mitchell signed with the Chargers after spending his first three NFL seasons with Baltimore. The 2023 UDFA will compete with Kimani Vidal for change-of-pace touches behind starter Omarion Hampton. Mitchell has been limited to 140 touches over his first three NFL seasons, but he has been extremely productive when called upon. His career 6.34 yards per carry ranks second and his 2.50 YAC fourth among 89 backs with 100-plus carries since 2023. He has also put up 184 yards on 23 targets (8.0 YPT). Mitchell is on the small side, so his ceiling is likely capped (he has never cleared 11 touches in a game), but the 24-year-old would be worth adding should Hampton miss time.