Pewter Report’s 2023 7-Round Bucs Mock Draft 3.0

Round 6: East Carolina RB Keaton Mitchell
Redshirt Sophomore • 5-8, 179

The Bucs are looking for angry runners, but already have a couple on the roster in starter Rachaad White and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, who is entering a contract year. What Tampa Bay needs is an injection of speed on offense, and East Carolina’s Keaton Mitchell can bring it. His 4.37 in the 40-yard dash was the third-fastest 40-time in Indy at the running back position.

Despite his small stature, Mitchell is one of the toughest runners in this year’s draft class. Bucs fans might be reminded of Warrick Dunn when watching Mitchell run. He’s not quite as big as Dunn (5-9, 187) was, but he’s certainly faster. Mitchell’s 31 runs of 15 yards or more was the most in college football last year.

Mitchell’s Career Rushing Stats
2020: 88 carries, 443 yards, 5.0 avg., 2 TDs
2021: 174 carries, 1,132 yards, 6.5 avg., 9 TDs
2022: 201 carries, 1,452 yards, 7.2 avg., 14 TDs

Mitchell’s Career Receiving Stats
2020: 11 catches, 75 yards, 6.8 avg., TD
2021: 22 catches, 253 yards, 11.5 avg., TD
2022: 27 catches, 252 yards, 9.3 avg., TD

Pro Football Focus gave Mitchell an 89.1 overall grade last year after he ran for 1,452 yards and 14 touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Mitchell thrived in East Carolina’s outside zone scheme, where he earned a 93.4 grade. He had 724 yards after contact and his 75 forced missed tackles were the 13th-most in the nation last year.

Mitchell is also a great receiver and finished his Pirates career with 60 catches for 580 yards and three touchdowns. He is effective on screens as well as wheel and angle routes out of the backfield. Mitchell met with running backs coach Skip Peete at the Combine.