NFL Draft Grades 2018: New England Patriots select Sony Michel at No. 31

The New England Patriots selected Georgia running back Sony Michel with the 31st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, adding another piece to their backfield.

There was a lot of talk that the New England Patriots were going to package their two first-round picks and move up the draft board. Conventional wisdom said otherwise and the Patriots did exactly what they thought they needed to do, which was stand pat and get their guy. After selecting the offensive lineman who allowed him to bounce runs outside in Isaiah Wynn with the No. 23 pick, the Patriots selected one-half of the two headed monster in at Georgia in Sony Michel.

Michel is well built back at 5-11, 214 pounds who is a downhill, one-cut, north-south runner. His powerful style and build is similar to Thomas Jones, who carved out a nice career while playing for the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. Michel is comes into the NFL with plus pass blocking ability and showed soft hands at the combine. Michel has all the ability to be a three-down bell cow back who only needs a backup as a spell back.

However, New England runs a system that doesn’t feature just one back. Instead, they employ a running back by committee type of backfield. They have James White and Rex Burkhead, who are often used, but not limited, to receivers out the backfield. This offseason, they also added former Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, who is a powerful back thought to be a replacement for LeGarrette Blount, who they lost last offseason in free agency.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Grades for each first-round pick

So how does Michel fit into a system where Tom Brady is still the man and the running back is more of revolving door? With Lamar Jackson still on the board along with players like Josh Jackson, Isaiah Oliver and Harold Landry, this was more of a luxury pick. 

Grade: C