Keaton Mitchell, Will Shipley Hyped as Fantasy Football RB Sleepers by Fans

Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry were the two best running backs in football last season, each posting epic stat lines. But they also undertook massive workloads, giving fantasy players pause this summer as they consider whether that level of wear and tear might contribute to a higher likelihood of injuries going forward (or more carefully managed snaps).

And that means that their potential handcuffs suddenly take on added intrigue. Enter Will Shipley and Keaton Mitchell.

Both players had the fantasy community buzzing on Thursday night in preseason action, impressing as they found themselves in the spotlight.

Here was some of the love Shipley was receiving:

And the Mitchell buzz was real:

Granted, there were also the tongue-in-cheek reactions to the well-meaning but perhaps earnestly premature excitement regarding the two players:

Of the two players, Mitchell probably has the better chance to make a fantasy impact even if Henry isn't injured. The Ravens need to monitor the workload of their 31-year-old workhorse, and Mitchell has impressed in the past (8.9 yards per carry in his 2023 rookie season). His explosiveness makes him a weapon, and one who should have a role in Baltimore's offense.

Shipley's a bit more of an unknown—he only had 30 carries last season as a rookie, and a third of them came in the final week of the season when Barkley sat—but behind Philly's elite offensive line, he could produce nicely in a handcuff role. He also seems more likely to get snaps as a third-down back even when Saquon Barkley is healthy, while AJ Dillon seems less likely to play when Barkley is available.

That makes Shipley the handcuff to have in Philly, at least for the time being. He did little to hurt his case on Thursday.