Sony Michel

Sony Michel

28-Year-Old Running BackRB
 Free Agent  
Free Agent
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Sony Michel in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
$Released by the Chargers in December of 2022.
Let go Saturday
RBFree Agent
December 31, 2022
Michel was waived by the Chargers on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Michel had been a healthy inactive since Week 12, so Saturday's designation is hardly surprising. It's possible the veteran could get claimed by a running-back needy playoff team before the end of the season.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Sony Michel's 2022 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats 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. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
8.3%
 
Positive Run %
80.6%
 
% Yds After Contact
73.6%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
2.2
 
Rushing TD %
0.0%
 
Touches Per Game
4.5
 
% Snaps w/Touch
36.9%
 
Air Yards Per Game
1.5
 
Air Yards Per Snap
0.12
 
% Team Air Yards
0.3%
 
% Team Targets
2.0%
 
Avg Depth of Target
1.1 Yds
 
Catch Rate
69.2%
 
Drop Rate
15.4%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
5.6
 
% Targeted On Route
21.7%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
0.88
 
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2022
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2020
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2021 NFL Game Log
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2020 NFL Game Log
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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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2022 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
Backfield Breakdown: 2022 Running Back Recap and Early 2023 Fantasy Rankings
150 days ago
Jerry Donabedian looks at top performers from 2022 and checks in on players rehabbing serious injuries or potentially headed for free agency.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 15 RB Usage Report (with Week 16 Waivers Preview)
173 days ago
The unfortunate end of Jonathan Taylor's season may have a silver lining in the form of Zack Moss getting a big opportunity.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 13 Running Back Usage & Week 14 Waivers Preview
187 days ago
D'Andre Swift finally reclaimed his Week 1 role, and he wasn't the only second-round pick from the 2020 Draft to take on more work Sunday.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 12 Running Back Usage & Week 13 Waivers Preview
194 days ago
Undrafted rookie Zonovan Knight was the unexpected standout of Week 12, though hardly the only backup to step into a large role. Jerry Donabedian sifts through a wild weekend and looks at every NFL backfield.
Backfield Breakdown: Week 11 Running Back Usage & Week 12 Waivers Preview
201 days ago
Samaje Perine scored three touchdowns with Joe Mixon entering concussion protocol. Elsewhere, Najee Harris and David Montgomery returned
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
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.
ANALYSIS
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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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Inactive once again
RBLos Angeles Chargers
Coach's Decision
December 4, 2022
Michel (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Raiders, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.
ANALYSIS
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Inactive Sunday
RBLos Angeles Chargers
Coach's Decision
November 27, 2022
Michel is inactive for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Gets just one carry in Week 11
RBLos Angeles Chargers
November 22, 2022
Michel rushed for one yard on one carry and did not see any receiving targets in Sunday's Week 11 loss to Kansas City.
ANALYSIS
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