Rams Welcome Running Back Sony Michel to Los Angeles

It has been an offseason of turmoil in regards to the running back position for the Los Angeles Rams, who have already seen a fair share of damage dealt to their backfield. The occurrence of budding second-year talent, Cam Akers, suffering a torn achilles tendon was the earth-shattering news to start an unfortunate chain of events for the Rams. Louisiana-Lafayette product, Raymond Calais, was cut after he suffered a foot fracture in the week two preseason matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. This injury is likely to take 4-6 months of healing time, effectively ending the back's 2021 season. Darrell Henderson, the heir to the starting job after Akers went down, suffered a thumb sprain that forced him to exit practice last week. Luckily the sprain was deemed insignificant, and the Rams took the necessary day-to-day steps in order to have him ready to start in the regular season opener against the Chicago Bears on September 12th. 

In response to the unfavorable happenings, some much needed depth has been brought in to round out the running back position. The Rams decided to trade a 5th and 6th round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft for New England Patriots running back Sony Michel. This acquisition provides the 2018 first-round pick out of the University of Georgia on a one-year deal. Michel has played all of his 38 games for the Pats, with 28 of those as a starter. During the 38 games, he ran for 2,292 yards on 535 attempts and put up 14 touchdowns. Michel's career average yards-per-carry is a solid 4.3 as he departs a New England running back room that is stacked with the likes of James White, Damien Harris and Brandon Bolden. Harris' rise in 2020 was damning for Michel to stay on the roster as Michel battled a quad injury and had to deal with the Covid-19/reserve list that had him sidelined for 7 games. Despite those hurdles and adversities, Michel still had a tenacious 2020 campaign averaging 5.7 yards-per-carry and scoring one touchdown.

I sense there will be a lot of stable production from Michel in Sean McVay's offense this season. I am sure most of Michel's reps will come in relief of Darrell Henderson, whom McVay has not given up hope will be an effective back behind Matthew Stafford, the new and exciting quarterback. Much of McVay's offense is predicated on strong running back play in order to force the defense into respecting the run, and implementing play-action fakes in an effort to keep the defenses honest. Having a stellar passer like Stafford will make this Rams offense a multi-headed savage beast if it can excel at establishing the run, allowing the quarterback to make big throws for large gains against befuddled defenses. Since 2009, the year Stafford was drafted, the Detroit Lions had the league's worst average rush yards per game- an abhorrent 95.1. This is one of the many key reasons Stafford was not successful in Detroit. However, everything else is available for Stafford to showcase his talent- from an average to sometimes even great offensive line, to athletic wide receivers and pass catching tight ends. Coach McVay will need to put emphasis on the rushing attack for his quarterback's sake and the rest of the offense will flow from there. While his rushing numbers are solid, Michel's role in the passing game has been overall abysmal so far in his career. Allotting just 26 receptions on 40 targets, 258 yards and one score, Michel does certainly hold some merit, ultimately as a pass blocker. Pass blocking on all fronts will be crucial for the Rams as they aim to have a successful passing attack this season.

Overall, I agree with the move. It is a low risk/high reward addition that makes sense for the Rams this season. General Manager Les Snead had his sights set on a back that will add necessary, solid depth and I believe a respectable choice was made in Sony Michel. I am sure it does not hurt that UGA alum and 2015 RB's Coach, Thomas Brown, is in the building now as their RB's Coach/Assistant Head Coach. Brown coached Michel in Georgia in 2015 and almost certainly had his hand in helping evaluate the player. Also, Michel is now the only rostered Rams player to have achieved a Super Bowl victory. A 13-3 Patriots win earned against his new team in Super Bowl LIII. A game in which the lone touchdown was scored by the man himself.