In my discussion this week on The G.O.A.T. Podcast with Nora Princiotti from The Boston Globe, one topic that surfaced was rookie-running back Sony Michel’s role with the Patriots this upcoming season.
Michel being the 31st overall pick was the first time in 12 years that the Patriots drafted a running back in the first round, with the last time being Laurence Maroney in 2006. With players like Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley, and Leonard Fournette being drafted in the first round and having a massive impact on the success of their respective teams, it’s not crazy to think that New England drafted Michel in the first round with the same expectations of success going forward at that position.
Though Princiotti does not put Michel in the same category as the aforementioned running backs, she believes Michel’s impact could be substantial for the Patriots. However, his impact, for the time being, will remain restricted because of playmakers that New England continues to have in the backfield.
“I would say that I think [Michel] comes into the beginning of the season behind Burkhead and White,” said Nora. “I think of White as one of the best third-down backs in football really, you know, among that elite group in that role. So I don't think that the Patriots would be working necessarily to take touches away from James White. In a lot of ways, you could see Sony Michel sort of filling a little bit bigger of a role because he could be a really explosive runner too. But I think at least right off the bat, it's going to be a committee approach.”
This is not a knock on Michel, as Princiotti elaborates. But the running back position is a hard jump to make from college to the pros.
“He’s a really, really talented player, but running back, that's a hard position to pick up right off the bat. I think often, you know, there's amazing highlight reel tape from college and these guys have a ton of talent but it's just complicated and they have a lot to learn,” Nora said. “It'll be interesting to see how quickly he can pick it up. Pass protection at that position tends to be the big thing with rookie running backs in terms of how much playing time they can actually get.”
Fantasy owners take note - the Georgia product is different from many offensive weapons that have joined New England's squad in the past. But don’t get it twisted. Unlike Elliott, Gurley, and Fournette, Michel will have to earn his role in the backfield, and won’t be handed anything until he proves he has what it takes to be the primary ball carrier in the Patriots backfield.
Click here to listen to the full discussion with Nora on this weeks episode of The G.O.A.T. Podcast.
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