RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~120 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~135
ANALYSIS: Okay, get your laughs out of the way. Are you finished? No, seriously... are you done? Okay, Sony Michel deserves a spot on your roster. Why?
ESPN Insider @AdamSchefter breaks down the Sony Michel trade to the #Rams and its impact on Darrell Henderson and the #Patriots backfield on #GuruInTheMorning!@Fantasy_Guru @PaulKellyTweets #FantasyFootball pic.twitter.com/lVeLfo8oko
— Fantasy Sports Radio (@SiriusXMFantasy) August 25, 2021
Adam Schefter reported Michel was traded to a place where he could become the lead back and probably will become the lead back. Think about that. Look, Cam Akers was ranked as the RB10–12 most places. Henderson is currently viewed as a top-20 running back and Michel can't even crack the top-40. How much love have the Rams truly shown to Henderson?
After his rookie season, the Rams loved him so much that despite not having a first-round pick and having other needs, they used their highest draft pick on running back Cam Akers. With Darrell Henderson on the roster. That doesn't exactly scream "I trust you to be the guy." Then when Akers got hurt this offseason, the Rams didn't wait long before trading for Sony Michel. Another move that doesn't exactly scream "I trust you." And look at the compensation! It's not nothing. A fifth and a sixth-round pick, plus the fifth can turn into a fourth. All of that should, at the very least, tell you Darrell Henderson doesn't have a stranglehold on this job.
Sony Michel, despite the injuries, was actually quite effective last year. Are you ready to be blown away? Last year, Michel averaged 6.55 yards per touch, which was first among running backs (not a typo). He was second in breakaway run rate. He was 16th in juke rate. He averaged 5.68 yards per carry. He created 3.45 yards per touch, which was fifth among running backs. Doesn't exactly sound like a guy who can't be productive. Prior to 2020, he had back-to-back 900-yard rushing seasons with six or more scores in both.
The Rams are expected to have one of the better offenses in the league. They combined for 81 red-zone rushes last year, which showcases ample scoring opportunity for the team's running backs. Michel is a little bigger than Henderson and could end up stealing goal-line touches away. In either case, Michel is looking at eight to 12 touches a game from the get-go.
Sean McVay has constantly said they don't want to overwork Henderson, a sign he isn't likely looking at a workhorse role. Not to mention, Henderson is already dinged up. Eight to 12 touches already puts Michel in the possible flex conversation, but if he's able to shift the workload more to a 50-50 split, he could be a solid RB3. If Henderson gets hurt or misses time, Michel jumps into the RB2 conversation off of volume alone.
Michel has the benefit of not only being a usable player during bye weeks, but he also has massive upside in the event of an injury. That's a hold, all day. He's a decent depth play to target in the middle rounds of fantasy football drafts, and offers sleeper appeal as a player that can emerge in a high-powered offense.
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