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Assessing the Redskins First Round Options: RB Sony Michel

By Jacob Camenker

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

The case for Sony Michel

In the modern NFL, it’s extremely important to have a running back who can do everything. Three down players are becoming a bit more of a rarity, and the teams that possess true threats can often run more effective offenses. At the next level, Michel should be a three down back.

During his time at Georgia, Michel split carries with Nick Chubb and Todd Gurley. He’s had talented backfield mates, and that has kept him from ever receiving a massive workload. He only broke 200 carries once as a sophomore, and that year, he totaled 1,136 yards and eight scores.

As a senior, Michel really burst onto the scene for the Bulldogs. Many expected that Chubb would be the team’s best back. Instead, Michel helped to carry the team to the national title game. Running with terrific balance, explosiveness, and making an impact in the passing game. He averaged a whopping 7.9 yards per carry on the season, scored 16 touchdowns, and totaled a career high 1,227 yards.

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Michel’s best game of the year came against Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl. In that contest, he showed off his game-breaking ability, scoring three touchdowns and repeatedly ripping off massive runs against the Sooners defense. He added a fourth touchdown on a receiving touchdown. He showed off his combo back skills and that is going to do a lot to help his draft stock.

For the NFL level, I see a lot of Alvin Kamara in Michel, as does NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who recently compared the two on his annual pre-Combine teleconference. Both were rotational backs for the teams they played on and had an impact in all facets of the game. Additionally, both had the speed and athleticism to take the ball to the house at any time.

At the next level, Michel could have a similar impact to Kamara and for that reason, he could end up being the second running back off the board. He’s gone a bit under the radar, but if he proves himself as a quality pass catcher at the Combine, he could lock himself into a spot in the top 25.

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