Patriots: 3 players entering last-chance season in New England

2. RB Sony Michel

After his rookie year, Michel looked like a cornerstone of the Patriots’ offense for the next few years, as he totaled just under 1,000 yards rushing and scored six postseason touchdowns on a Patriots team that won a championship. His raw stats were almost identical in 2019, but his yards per carry slipped to just 3.7.

During his time as the “lightning” part of the lightning-thunder duo of himself and Nick Chubb at Georgia, Michel earned bushels of praise for his athletic ability and speed. He has been bitten several times over by the injury bug, and he does not look like the same player after those injuries.

Sony Michel looks less explosive than at the start of his Patriots career.

Michel played in just nine games last season, and while his yards per carry average skyrocketed, that could be due to his very limited sample size. In the very best case scenario, Michel will head into the season as the backup to Damien Harris after the third-round pick proved he can handle a starting workload.

Michel could slide even further down the depth chart this year, as the selection of Rhamondre Stevenson in the fourth round and the return of James White will make it tougher for Michel to get touches. Michel is running out of time to prove he can be a part of the future in New England.