Sony Michel

Sony Michel

29-Year-Old Running BackRB
Los Angeles Rams
Reserve-Ret
Injury Personal
Est. Return 4/1/2024
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Michel is back with the Rams after a one-year interlude with the Chargers, hoping to earn a backup role behind returning starter Cam Akers. The 2018 first-round pick is now 28 years old and coming off a season with only 45 touches in 10 games, but a weak depth chart combined with scheme familiarity give Michel something working in his favor. He led the Rams in rushing in 2021, and while unlikely to catch many passes or break off long gains, Michel might still be competent as a between-the-tackles runner. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
$Signed a contract with the Rams in June of 2023.
Placed on reserve/retired list
RBLos Angeles Rams
Undisclosed
July 30, 2023
The Rams placed Michel on the reserve/retired list Sunday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.
ANALYSIS
Michel informed the Rams of his decision to retire earlier in the week, but since he's still under contract, Los Angeles has opted to officially put him on the reserve/retired list. The 2018 first-round pick won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2018 and the Rams in 2021, and last year, he tallied 159 yards from scrimmage on 45 touches across 10 regular-season games with the Chargers.
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2023 NFL Game Log
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2022 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Los Angeles RamsRams 2023 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

69460%
19117%
12010%
1029%
262%
161%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Sony Michel lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2023 Sony Michel Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Sony Michel's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
5' 11"
 
Weight
215 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.54 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.21 sec
 
Bench Press
22 reps
 
Hand Length
9.13 in
 
Arm Length
31.25 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Sony Michel See More
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The Colts have three competent running back options if Jonathan Taylor isn't around, making for a fierce competition between Deon Jackson, Evan Hull and Zack Moss.
Training Camp Notes: July 30
232 days ago
Erik Siegrist looks over the news from a busy day of training camps and notes that injuries are already hitting the Seattle backfield.
2023 Los Angeles Rams Preview: Roster Moves, Depth Chart, Schedule, Storylines and More
233 days ago
Nearly 18 months removed from winning Super Bowl LVI, the Rams now find themselves in no-man's land. Still, with cornerstones in place like WR Cooper Kupp and DT Aaron Donald, they could be plucky at times.
2023 Los Angeles Chargers Preview: Roster Moves, Depth Chart, Schedule, Storylines and More
233 days ago
With coordinator Kellen Moore on board, the Chargers will hope that a change in scheme will help QB Justin Herbert and company become a bit more vertically oriented on offense.
Backfield Breakdown: 2022 Running Back Recap and Early 2023 Fantasy Rankings
January 11, 2023
Jerry Donabedian looks at top performers from 2022 and checks in on players rehabbing serious injuries or potentially headed for free agency.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Michel seemed headed for a depth role in New England last season following the emergence of Damien Harris in 2020, but instead the 2018 first-round pick was sent to the Rams on the eve of the season to replace the injured Cam Akers - a best-case scenario that ultimately got him a Super Bowl ring. Michel played all 17 games for Los Angeles, but it took him a while to adjust to a new scheme and he saw more than 23 snaps on offense only once in the first eight games of the season. Things tipped in his favor later in the year with Darrell Henderon struggling to stay healthy, and Michel ran for 540 yards and three touchdowns over the final six weeks of the regular season before mostly giving way to Akers in the playoffs. Michel then signed with Miami in the offseason but instead landed with the Chargers after the Dolphins cut him in late August. It isn't a great sign he couldn't win a roster spot in Miami, but he'll face weaker competition for backup work in Los Angeles unless rookie Isaiah Spiller makes a late charge after a disappointing summer. Other than Spiller and Michel, the Chargers have plodder Joshua Kelley behind lead back Austin Ekeler.
While injuries played a big part in Michel's poor 2020, the bigger issue was the emergence of Damien Harris. At his best, Michel is a tough runner who offers little in the passing game but can help keep the chains moving and get the job done at the goal line, though the goal line was Cam Newton's domain in New England last year. For 2021, the Patriots decided to move forward without Michel, trading him to the Rams in late August for conditional fifth- and sixth-round picks. A 2018 first-round pick himself, Michel obviously hasn't lived up to the billing but does now have a nice opportunity ahead in the unsettled Los Angeles backfield. Darrell Henderson still figures to enter Week 1 in the lead role, but his medical history is cause for concern, while the Rams' other running backs all have little-to-no NFL experience. As such, Michel could find himself in a lead role at some point this season, playing in what should be at least an above-average offense.
Michel couldn't build on a promising rookie campaign last season, and his overall lackluster performance leaves his future role in the Patriots offense somewhat murky. While he had his moments, including a three-touchdown game against the Jets in Week 7, he failed to record a single 100-yard game all season, and he once again showed little ability to get past the first defender he encountered. Michel finished 29th in broken-tackle rate and 45th in average yards after contact (1.6), after ranking 33rd and 26th, respectively, as a rookie. With all but one of his rushing TDs coming from inside the 5-yard line, he was the very definition of a system running back, essentially producing only what his scheme and offensive line could create for him. The New England offense is now without Tom Brady for the first time in two decades, and there's no telling how much the running game will need to be emphasized in response, with either Cam Newton or Jarrett Stidham starting at quarterback. Even if he sees increased volume, Michel's lack of usage as a receiver and lack of explosiveness as a runner would seem to put a firm ceiling on his value, and there's also the threat of losing carries to 2019 third-round pick Damien Harris or even veteran Rex Burkhead.
It took the rookie a few games to get going, but Michel's 112-yard performance against the Dolphins in Week 4 announced that Bill Belichick intended to make him a key part of the Pats' attack. The running back was especially impressive in postseason, averaging more than 100 rushing yards a game and finding the end zone six times in three games. Running behind a stout offensive line, Michel found a lot of holes, taking the yards he was given while flashing a strong burst that ranked him 11th in the league in quickest average time to the line of scrimmage. He lacks elite speed, however, and despite a reputation in college as a tough runner to bring down, he broke only 23 tackles last year, 44th in the league. Combined with a lack of opportunity to make a big contribution in the passing game due to James White's presence, there seems to be a cap on Michel's upside in New England. He should split touches once again with White, and the Patriots also have Rex Burkhead and third-round pick Damien Harris competing for snaps. Michel's role primarily on early downs makes it tough to project a full breakout, despite the headlines he generated in the playoffs. A knee scope in the spring creates added cause for concern, with Michel missing a good chunk of offseason workouts and the first few days of training camp.
The 31st overall pick in this year's draft, Michel is a tough player to categorize. His size and role at Georgia alongside Nick Chubb encouraged some Alvin Kamara comparisons, but Michel is a different kind of runner, preferring to use his burst and low center of gravity to break tackles rather than avoiding contact. He does have some elusiveness, and his 4.54 40-yard dash time at the Combine is more than adequate, but his north-south style and inconsistent usage in the passing game at Georgia mark him as more of an early down and short-yardage option than a true three-down back. That skill set would make him an exciting complement to James White in a more conventional, less-crowded NFL backfield, but with Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Jeremy Hill also in the mix, Michel will need to make a good impression in training camp to earn significant snaps right away. An August injury certainly won't help in that regard, though the Patriots are optimistic Michel will recover from a minor procedure to drain fluid in his knee in time for Week 1.
More Fantasy News
Plans to hang it up
RBLos Angeles Rams
Personal
July 29, 2023
Rams coach Sean McVay said Saturday that Michel informed him of his impending retirement Saturday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Inks one-year deal
RBLos Angeles Rams
June 20, 2023
The Rams signed Michel to a one-year deal Tuesday, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
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Let go Saturday
RBFree Agent
December 31, 2022
Michel was waived by the Chargers on Saturday.
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Inactive again
RBLos Angeles Chargers
Coach's Decision
December 26, 2022
Michel (coach's decision) is inactive for Monday night's game against the Colts.
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Remains out Week 15
RBLos Angeles Chargers
Coach's Decision
December 18, 2022
Michel (coach's decision) has been ruled inactive for Sunday's game against the Titans.
ANALYSIS
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