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Grading the top five rookie running backs drafted in 2018

By Joel Deering

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 14: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots celebrates afters scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – OCTOBER 14: Sony Michel #26 of the New England Patriots celebrates afters scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

3. 31st Overall Pick – Sony Michel – New England Patriots

Games Played: 6

Games Started: 4

Rushing Stats: 95 attempts for 422 yards, an average of 4.4 yards per carry and 4 TDs.

Receiving Stats: 4 receptions for 31 yards and 0 TDs.

Analysis: Sony Michel has been one of the better rookie RBs this season. He has missed time recently due to a knee injury, but before then he was having a great year for the Patriots.

We all know how the Patriots use their RBs. As long as Tom Brady’s around, the Patriots won’t be considered a running team. They rarely hand the ball off to one RB 30-plus times a game, relying on them to carry the team to a victory.

Michel has proven he could be that type of RB in the future though. He has two games this season where he received 20-plus carries. In both of those games, Michel ran for over 100 yards and scored at least one rushing TD. Michel had another game where he received 18 carries, rushing for 98 yards and a TD.

Sony Michel has put up really good numbers in the six games he’s played. If he plays in the remaining seven games for the Patriots, Michel could take his 70.3 rushing yards per game to a season of 914 yards rushing. That’s pretty good for a guy who missed a couple games and is on the same team as Tom Brady.

Michel hasn’t done much in terms of receiving for the Patriots, but that’s not his role. RB James White is the primary receiving back. I personally think Michel has the potential to an all-around RB and should get more targets in the passing game, but that’s not for me to decide.

Sony Michel was the third RB taken in the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s definitely playing up to his first-round draft status. Despite missing time, Michel has been one of the top five rookie RBs this year.

Grade: B+

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