New England Patriots select Georgia running back Sony Michel with 31st pick
With the No. 31 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots selected Georgia running back, Sony Michel.
The New England Patriots decided to stay put with both of their first round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft. With the No. 23 pick, the Patriots selected Georgia offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. With the No. 31 pick, they went back to Georgia.
With the 31st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Georgia running back, Sony Michel. This is a good pick by New England, as Michel can fill a multitude of roles for the team.
Michel was never the full-time starter in his four years at Georgia. That should help him with the Patriots, who always rotate their running backs.
Michel will join a very versatile group of running backs in New England. In addition to free agent signing Jeremy Hill, the Patriots also have Rex Burkhead and James White.
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Michel fits the mold of the type of running back that the Patriots like. He is versatile, as he gets the job done on the ground and as a receiver. In four seasons, Michel ran for 3,613 yards on 590 carries, adding 64 receptions for 621 yards. He scored 39 total touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Michel possesses the agility to make players miss and has enough top-end speed to break away from opponents. More importantly, he has improved his ball security as his career went on and is a willing blocker. The quickest way onto the field for a young player is to prove their chops in the passing game, and Michel has done that.
Michel is on the shorter side, measuring just under 5’11”. That puts a damper on his outlook as a featured back, but in New England, he won’t be relied upon to do that. He will be part of a three or four-man rotation.
Michel gives the Patriots yet another weapon offensively. He can help the team out immediately in both the running game and passing game.
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Tom Brady will be happy with these first two picks, as Wynn can help protect him and Michel will help take pressure off the team relying solely on his arm to win the game.