Sony Michel

Michel seemed headed for a depth role in New England last season following the emergence of Damien Harris in 2020, but instead the 2018 first-round pick was sent to the Rams on the eve of the season to replace the injured Cam Akers - a best-case scenario that ultimately got him a Super Bowl ring. Michel played all 17 games for Los Angeles, but it took him a while to adjust to a new scheme and he saw more than 23 snaps on offense only once in the first eight games of the season. Things tipped in his favor later in the year with Darrell Henderon struggling to stay healthy, and Michel ran for 540 yards and three touchdowns over the final six weeks of the regular season before mostly giving way to Akers in the playoffs. Michel then signed with Miami in the offseason but instead landed with the Chargers after the Dolphins cut him in late August. It isn't a great sign he couldn't win a roster spot in Miami, but he'll face weaker competition for backup work in Los Angeles unless rookie Isaiah Spiller makes a late charge after a disappointing summer. Other than Spiller and Michel, the Chargers have plodder Joshua Kelley behind lead back Austin Ekeler.

While injuries played a big part in Michel's poor 2020, the bigger issue was the emergence of Damien Harris. At his best, Michel is a tough runner who offers little in the passing game but can help keep the chains moving and get the job done at the goal line, though the goal line was Cam Newton's domain in New England last year. For 2021, the Patriots decided to move forward without Michel, trading him to the Rams in late August for conditional fifth- and sixth-round picks. A 2018 first-round pick himself, Michel obviously hasn't lived up to the billing but does now have a nice opportunity ahead in the unsettled Los Angeles backfield. Darrell Henderson still figures to enter Week 1 in the lead role, but his medical history is cause for concern, while the Rams' other running backs all have little-to-no NFL experience. As such, Michel could find himself in a lead role at some point this season, playing in what should be at least an above-average offense.

Michel couldn't build on a promising rookie campaign last season, and his overall lackluster performance leaves his future role in the Patriots offense somewhat murky. While he had his moments, including a three-touchdown game against the Jets in Week 7, he failed to record a single 100-yard game all season, and he once again showed little ability to get past the first defender he encountered. Michel finished 29th in broken-tackle rate and 45th in average yards after contact (1.6), after ranking 33rd and 26th, respectively, as a rookie. With all but one of his rushing TDs coming from inside the 5-yard line, he was the very definition of a system running back, essentially producing only what his scheme and offensive line could create for him. The New England offense is now without Tom Brady for the first time in two decades, and there's no telling how much the running game will need to be emphasized in response, with either Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham starting at quarterback. Even if he sees increased volume, Michel's lack of usage as a receiver and lack of explosiveness as a runner would seem to put a firm ceiling on his value, and there's also the threat of losing carries to 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris or even veteran Rex Burkhead.

It took the rookie a few games to get going, but Michel's 112-yard performance against the Dolphins in Week 4 announced that Bill Belichick intended to make him a key part of the Pats' attack. The running back was especially impressive in postseason, averaging more than 100 rushing yards a game and finding the end zone six times in three games. Running behind a stout offensive line, Michel found a lot of holes, taking the yards he was given while flashing a strong burst that ranked him 11th in the league in quickest average time to the line of scrimmage. He lacks elite speed, however, and despite a reputation in college as a tough runner to bring down, he broke only 23 tackles last year, 44th in the league. Combined with a lack of opportunity to make a big contribution in the passing game due to James White's presence, there seems to be a cap on Michel's upside in New England. He should split touches once again with White, and the Patriots also have Rex Burkhead and third-round pick Damien Harris competing for snaps. Michel's role primarily on early downs makes it tough to project a full breakout, despite the headlines he generated in the playoffs. A knee scope in the spring creates added cause for concern, with Michel missing a good chunk of offseason workouts and the first few days of training camp.

The 31st overall pick in this year's draft, Michel is a tough player to categorize. His size and role at Georgia alongside Nick Chubb encouraged some Alvin Kamara comparisons, but Michel is a different kind of runner, preferring to use his burst and low center of gravity to break tackles rather than avoiding contact. He does have some elusiveness, and his 4.54 40-yard dash time at the Combine is more than adequate, but his north-south style and inconsistent usage in the passing game at Georgia mark him as more of an early down and short-yardage option than a true three-down back. That skill set would make him an exciting complement to James White in a more conventional, less-crowded NFL backfield, but with Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Jeremy Hill also in the mix, Michel will need to make a good impression in training camp to earn significant snaps right away. An August injury certainly won't help in that regard, though the Patriots are optimistic Michel will recover from a minor procedure to drain fluid in his knee in time for Week 1.