BALLER MOVE: Target ~45
CURRENT ADP: ~55
ANALYSIS: A standout in college football for Georgia, New England Patriots running back Sony Michel became one of the most dangerous weapons in the NCAA while sharing a backfield with teammate Nick Chubb. After leaving Georgia following four years of quality production and on the back of a 1,300+ yard, 17 touchdown season, Michel was a hot option leading up to the NFL Draft. The rookie running back did not disappoint, being selected in the first round by the New England Patriots and becoming the first running back selected in the first round by the team since Lawrence Maroney in 2006.
Michel has a lot of expectations on his shoulders as he will have to live up to the draft hype in order to earn back the value that the team spent to acquire him. Although he is currently nursing an injury that may push his entry into the league back a few weeks, Michel still figures to be an excellent option as the head of the New England running back committee. The team does have other options like Rex Burkhead and James White, but you don't just spend a first round pick on a running back unless you are planning on using him. Even if he ends up splitting touches, Michel is such a versatile weapon that he should be able to make a big splash in the league throughout the season.
If the young running back from Georgia is able to put it together and earn a significant chunk of the team's snaps as the season progresses, we could be looking at the next NFL star running back when all is said and done. For his current 6th round ADP, fantasy owners are getting an absolute bargain if they decide to draft Sony Michel this year.
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