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10 Underrated NFL players under 25 years old in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fumble recovery in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 05: Jaylon Smith #54 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrates a fumble recovery in the first quarter against the Tennessee Titans at AT&T Stadium on November 5, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

3. RB Sony Michel, New England Patriots

It’s safe to say that the New England Patriots didn’t get much out of their 2018 draft class a year ago. Head honcho Bill Belichick selected nine players that April and more than half of them never saw the field this past season. Of course, that didn’t stop the NFL’s reigning dynasty from winning its sixth Super Bowl since 2001 and its third NFL title in the past five seasons.

But one rookie had a major impact on the team’s success this past year. The Pats picked a pair of players in the first round in 2018, both from the University of Georgia. And while tackle Isaiah Wynn spent the year on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles, running back Sony Michel made a major impact on the team’s fortunes – most notably in the postseason.

While the 31st overall pick in the 2018 draft may not have gaudy overall numbers — Michel totaled only seven receptions for 50 yards in the regular season and one catch in the playoffs — he led the Patriots with 931 rushing yards and six scores on 209 carries in 13 regular-season outings. And the 24-year old performer would be the club’s workhorse during New England’s three-game postseason run.

There were 24 carries for 129 yards and three scores in the divisional playoff win over the Chargers. That was followed by 29 attempts for 113 yards and two touchdown in the overtime victory at Kansas City in the AFC title game. And in Super Bowl LIII vs. the Los Angeles Rams, Michel ran 18 times for 94 yards and the game’s lone touchdown in the team’s 13-3 triumph. Could his playoff production be a sign of things to come in 2019?

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