Sony Michel (RB, LAR) - 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~120 Overall

CURRENT ADP: ~135

ANALYSIS:  Okay, get your laughs out of the way. Are you finished? No, seriously... are you done? Okay, Sony Michel deserves a spot on your roster. Why?

ESPN Insider @AdamSchefter breaks down the Sony Michel trade to the #Rams and its impact on Darrell Henderson and the #Patriots backfield on #GuruInTheMorning!@Fantasy_Guru @PaulKellyTweets #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/lVeLfo8oko

— Fantasy Sports Radio (@SiriusXMFantasy) August 25, 2021

Adam Schefter reported Michel was traded to a place where he could become the lead back and probably will become the lead back. Think about that. Look, Cam Akers was ranked as the RB10–12 most places. Henderson is currently viewed as a top-20 running back and Michel can't even crack the top-40. How much love have the Rams truly shown to Henderson?

After his rookie season, the Rams loved him so much that despite not having a first-round pick and having other needs, they used their highest draft pick on running back Cam Akers. With Darrell Henderson on the roster. That doesn't exactly scream "I trust you to be the guy." Then when Akers got hurt this offseason, the Rams didn't wait long before trading for Sony Michel. Another move that doesn't exactly scream "I trust you." And look at the compensation! It's not nothing. A fifth and a sixth-round pick, plus the fifth can turn into a fourth. All of that should, at the very least, tell you Darrell Henderson doesn't have a stranglehold on this job.

Sony Michel, despite the injuries, was actually quite effective last year. Are you ready to be blown away? Last year, Michel averaged 6.55 yards per touch, which was first among running backs (not a typo). He was second in breakaway run rate. He was 16th in juke rate. He averaged 5.68 yards per carry. He created 3.45 yards per touch, which was fifth among running backs. Doesn't exactly sound like a guy who can't be productive. Prior to 2020, he had back-to-back 900-yard rushing seasons with six or more scores in both.

The Rams are expected to have one of the better offenses in the league. They combined for 81 red-zone rushes last year, which showcases ample scoring opportunity for the team's running backs. Michel is a little bigger than Henderson and could end up stealing goal-line touches away. In either case, Michel is looking at eight to 12 touches a game from the get-go.

Sean McVay has constantly said they don't want to overwork Henderson, a sign he isn't likely looking at a workhorse role. Not to mention, Henderson is already dinged up. Eight to 12 touches already puts Michel in the possible flex conversation, but if he's able to shift the workload more to a 50-50 split, he could be a solid RB3. If Henderson gets hurt or misses time, Michel jumps into the RB2 conversation off of volume alone.

Michel has the benefit of not only being a usable player during bye weeks, but he also has massive upside in the event of an injury. That's a hold, all day. He's a decent depth play to target in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts, and offers sleeper appeal as a player that can emerge in a high-powered offense.

More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers

Pat Freiermuth (TE, PIT) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 66% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth is the TE10 for the year, averaging 7.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the Steelers' passing attack has been inconsistent this season, the veteran tight end has played well lately. He has five receiving […]

Mike Fanelli 3 weeks ago

Jalen McMillan (WR, TB) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 54% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan has been one of the top pass catchers in fantasy football lately. The rookie wide receiver is the WR10 over the past four weeks, averaging 4.8 receptions on 6.3 targets for 60.5 receiving yards and […]

Mike Fanelli 3 weeks ago

Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB, NO) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: New Orleans Saints Clyde Edwards-Helaire recently joined the team after spending his entire career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Furthermore, he made his team and season debut in the week 17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran running back had […]

Mike Fanelli 3 weeks ago

Julius Chestnut (RB, TEN) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 1% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut has had little fantasy football impact this season. The veteran running back is the RB101 for the year, averaging 0.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he got some work on offense last week in […]

Mike Fanelli 3 weeks ago

Trey Benson (RB, ARI) – Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups For Week 18

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 19% of Yahoo Leagues ANALYSIS: Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson has missed the past two games because of an ankle injury. Hopefully, the rookie running back can play in Sunday’s season finale against the San Francisco 49ers. The Cardinals could be without James Conner in Week […]

Mike Fanelli 3 weeks ago

Download Our Free Draft App

Like what you see? Be sure to also download our free fantasy football mobile app for iPhone and Android which includes more draft sleepers at very position, 24x7 player news, push notifications, injury alerts and daily articles.