{"id":45635,"date":"2018-07-10T12:42:27","date_gmt":"2018-07-10T16:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=45635"},"modified":"2021-05-23T16:20:36","modified_gmt":"2021-05-23T20:20:36","slug":"new-england-patriots-x-factors-sony-michel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/07\/10\/new-england-patriots-x-factors-sony-michel\/","title":{"rendered":"Sony Michel: New England Patriots X-Factors"},"content":{"rendered":"

With the 31st<\/sup> overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the New England Patriots<\/a> scooped up Sony Michel<\/strong><\/a>, a running back from Georgia. The pick wasn\u2019t what most expected, but since then it seems Michel has become an early favorite. After all, he was the third running back taken in the draft, behind Saquon Barkley<\/strong><\/a> (New York Giants<\/a>) and Rashaad Penny<\/strong><\/a> (Seattle Seahawks<\/a>). While he remains (tentatively) unsigned, Michel is hard at work<\/a> preparing for his inevitable spot on the running back depth chart. Where he\u2019ll land and what he\u2019ll contribute remains to be seen, but his skill set and history certainly make him an X-Factor for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n

New England Patriots X-Factor: Sony Michel<\/h1>\n

J.C. Jackson – Patriots X-Factors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Braxton Berrios – Patriots X-Factors<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Bulldog Excellence<\/h2>\n

Simply put, Michel was a beast for Georgia. During his college career, he ran for just over 3,600 yards and cashed in 33 touchdowns. As a receiver, he reeled in 621 yards and an additional six touchdowns.<\/p>\n

With partner running back Nick Chubb<\/strong><\/a>, who was drafted four rounds later by the Cleveland Browns<\/a>, Georgia tore Auburn apart in the SEC Championship Game and dropped a stunning\u00a0double overtime\u00a0loss on Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. The team managed to reach the National Championship game, only to lose to Alabama in overtime, a game that saw Michel take 14 carries for 98 yards.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/UGAfootballLive\/status\/998441183230812160<\/p>\n

Michel and Chubb were such a dynamic duo that\u00a0their combined 8,259 rushing yards broke the previous FBS record<\/a> of 8,192 (held by Eric Dickerson<\/a><\/strong> and Craig James<\/a><\/strong>). Had this year\u2019s draft not been top-loaded with quarterbacks, it stands to reason that the Michel could have very well been picked up by another team before New England hit the clock.<\/p>\n

Fighting for a Spot<\/h2>\n

This year\u2019s Patriots depth chart is crowded, even with the loss of star back Dion Lewis<\/a><\/strong>. Michel joins Rex Burkhead<\/a><\/strong>, James White<\/a><\/strong>, Jeremy Hill<\/a><\/strong>, Mike Gillislee<\/a><\/strong>, Brandon Bolden<\/a><\/strong>, and undrafted free agent Ralph Webb<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Burkhead and White are tried and true veterans of the game and, given Burkhead\u2019s recent contract extension, it\u2019s safe to say those spots are filled. Michel\u2019s college performance should mean his spot on the final roster is also safe, but it\u2019s important to keep in mind that college skills don\u2019t always translate to professional football. Perhaps more importantly, the Patriots playbook is notoriously difficult to learn.<\/p>\n

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Video: A big part of QB Tom Brady\u2019s participation in minicamp has been getting to know some of his new targets, like RB Sony Michel (wearing temporary No. 51). pic.twitter.com\/7T3TDJEErU<\/a><\/p>\n

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 7, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n