New England Patriots: Sony Michel named team’s best value selection
Which draft pick for the New England Patriots in the 2018 NFL Draft presented the most value according to ESPN’s Todd McShay?
The New England Patriots were very busy during the 2018 NFL Draft. New England completed a number of trades throughout the three days, eight to be exact. It was the most draft day trades made in franchise history. The previous high was seven, which was done in 2009 and 2010.
What makes that number even more surprising is that they all came on Day 2 and Day 3. The Patriots had two first-round picks, No. 23 and No. 31, but traded neither of them. Instead, they maneuvered around the board from the second round on, even adding two picks in the 2019 draft.
As things currently stand, New England is projected to have 11 selections in the 2019 NFL Draft. That is a ton of draft capital, and you can expect the Patriots to wheel and deal again next season with so many picks.
Before we begin focusing on that, let’s take a look at the 2018 NFL Draft. Every year there are players that drop to the benefit of other teams. Players dropping creates value for other teams, something that ESPN’s Todd McShay dug through.
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Over at ESPN, McShay compiled a list of the best value pick made by each team. Now, this does not necessarily mean the best player that the team selected. Instead, to land on this list, it has to do with value compared to where McShay had them ranked and if trades were involved.
For New England, McShay picked Georgia running back, Sony Michel. Michel was the second Georiga player selected by New England, as they used the No. 31 pick on him. The No. 23 pick was used on offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn, who was also Michel’s roommate at Georgia.
Here is what McShay had to say about selecting Michel as the team’s best value pick.
"Like usual, the Patriots did an excellent job of maneuvering in the draft and turning picks into more picks, including landing a 2019 third-rounder from Detroit and 2019 second-round pick from Chicago. As for Michel, he’s the type of versatile running back New England covets. Basically a bigger, better version of Dion Lewis, Michel excelled in a rotational role in Georgia and should be kept fresh in New England as well."
Michel is versatile coming out of the backfield. He is as dangerous as a runner as he is as a receiver. In four years at Georgia, Michel ran for 3,613 yards on 590 carries, adding 64 receptions for 621 yards.
That kind of versatility is what New England loves. No matter which running back is on the field, defenses won’t be tipped off about what is coming.
Next: 2018 NFL Draft First Round Grades
Dion Lewis signed with the Tennessee Titans as a free agent, and Michel will help fill that hole. Jeremy Hill was also signed in free agency, while Rex Burkhead was re-signed. All three should have a role in 2018, along with third-down specialist James White.