The Rams added some depth to their young running back room Wednesday morning when they acquired Sony Michel from the New England Patriots in exchange for late-round draft pick compensation.
Michel, the former first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, hasn’t quite lived up to his draft capital. Due to chronic knee issues, he’s only accumulated 2,292 rushing yards in 38 games over three seasons with the Patriots. With Damien Harris, Rhomondre Stevenson, and James White in the mix in Bill Belichick’s committee, most fantasy owners wanted nothing to do with Michel in fantasy leagues.
DARRELL HENDERSON FALLS
When Cam Akers went down to a season-ending Achilles tear prior to the start of the preseason, most assumed the Rams would add a veteran RB to pair with Darrell Henderson. The latter recently suffered a thumb injury in practice and while it isn’t expected to be serious, his injury left the team with only three healthy RBs — Xavier Jones, Jake Funk, and Raymond Calais, all of which have never had an NFL carry. The Michel acquisition provides them with depth and experience at a desperate position.
While Michel did not live up to his first-round draft status in New England, he might not be cooked just yet. Last season, Michel had the most efficient season of his professional career.
Last year, Sony Michel had his most efficient pro season yet.
Highest YPC (5.7), yards per route run (2.38), yards after contact per attempt (3.41) and elusive rating of career, while setting career-highs in receiving yards and PFF grades as runner & receiver
He's not cooked
— Wolf of Roto Street (@RotoStreetWolf) August 25, 2021
There’s even more data to suggest that maybe the lack of success in New England wasn’t on Michel and he could be a much better scheme fit in LA.
Sony Michel facts
1) The Rams ran outsize zone or man on 69% of their run plays last year; highest rate in the NFL.
2) Michel averaged 4.2 yards after contact per attempt on those runs in 2020, leading the league (min. 20 attempts)
3) Michel averaged 3.0 on all other runs
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) August 25, 2021
On top of this, the two draft picks (2022 sixth and 2023 fourth) the Rams traded to the Patriots tells me that they plan on getting Michel touches in the offense. Adam Schefter echoed that sentiment and believes Michel could and should be the lead back in LA. Henderson was never going to be the bell-cow in this backfield, but the addition of Michel makes this much closer to a 50/50 split than Henderson truthers are willing to admit (are there even Henderson truthers, anymore?)
PATRIOTS’ RUNNING BACKS RISE
The Patriots’ running back logjam received some clarity on Wednesday. Damien Harris will remain the starter and the Michel exit should leave him on the field for a few more early downs. But the big winner is Rhamondre Stevenson, the Legarrette Blount clone who averaged 7.7 yards per carry and scored four times in two preseason games. Although his fantasy value will be tied to Harris’ health, Stevenson could be a late-game hammer and see touches on the goal-line.
James White will continue to be a PPR steal and a third-down standout, while second-year back JJ Taylor could takeover the ever-annoying Rex Burkhead hybrid role.
SUMMARY
The Wolf has Henderson slotted in as the RB29 in his updated 2021 Big Board, -7 vs ECR and -7 vs ADP. The addition of Michel has pushed Henderson out of RB2 range and into more of a FLEX play. Michel finds himself as the RB35 on Wolf’s Big Board, +18 vs ECR and +18 vs ADP, and has as good a chance as Henderson to finish as a top 24 RB.
The Rams’ backfield is a cluster and something to avoid until we get more clarity. Henderson is a great buy-low candidate for those who need more RB depth. Oftentimes, your league mates will overreact to news and while Henderson’s value has taken a hit the last couple of days, he’s still 1A or 1B in a committee. The Rams project to be a very good team that should be in plenty of positive game scripts.
Damien Harris lands at RB26 (+1 vs ECR), Stevenson slots in at RB48 (+17 vs ECR), and White remains steady at RB41 (+7 vs ECR).
