Patriots reportedly trade Sony Michel to Los Angeles Rams
The New England Patriots have moved one name out of their crowded backfield, as the team has traded running back Sony Michel to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a pair of late-round picks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The picks being sent to New England in exchange for Michel are currently slated to be a fifth- and sixth-round selection in 2022. But they also have the chance to turn into a single fourth-round pick should the Rams receive a fourth-round compensatory pick for John Johnson, according to The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue.
UPDATE: Due to new NFL protocols, the compensation has been changed to a 2022 sixth-round pick and 2023 fourth-round pick, per Rodrigue.
LA’s move for Michel comes with the team’s running back group absolutely ravaged by long-term injuries, with Cam Akers done for the season by way of a torn Achilles, Raymond Calais out four to six months with a broken foot suffered earlier this preseason, and with Darrell Henderson injured in practice earlier this week.
Drafted by the Patriots with No. 31 overall pick in 2018, Michel is coming off a 2020 campaign with 449 yards and one touchdown in nine games, along with a career-high 5.7 yards per carry and career-high 114 receiving yards.
In 38 total games with the Patriots, the 5-foot-11 back rushed for 2,292 yards on 535 carries (4.3 yards per carry), averaged 60.3 yards per game, and found the endzone 14 times, and added another 258 yards and one touchdown on 26 catches.
And Michel was undoubtedly at his best during the team’s run to a Super Bowl title in 2019, with 336 rushing yards on 71 carries over three games, and six touchdowns (a total that matched his regular season total that year), in three games, including a 94-yard performance and the game’s only touchdown in the team’s 13-3 Super Bowl LIII win over… the Rams.
With Michel out of the picture, the Patriots’ running back room now features Damien Harris, James White, Rhamondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor, Brandon Bolden, and fullback Jakob Johnson.
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Ty Anderson is a writer and columnist for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Yell at him on Twitter: @_TyAnderson.
