Patriots trade Michel
New England sends tailback Sony Michel to the Rams for draft pick.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Questions and more questions.
The Patriots still have a lot of things to iron out on offense before the start of the regular season.
Cam Newton looked close to locking up the starting job at quarterback last week, but a COVID-19 testing mishap left him sidelined to begin this week. That opened the door for rookie Mac Jones to close the gap or perhaps overtake him with just one preseason game remaining.
The potential two-headed attack New England hoped to form at tight end with free agent pickups Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry has also been slowed as Henry works his way back from a shoulder injury.
But the Patriots opened the first of two joint practices with the Giants on Wednesday with a bit clearer picture at running back following the trade of Sony Michel to the Rams. It’s the latest sign New England is confident Damien Harris is ready to be the lead option in the backfield. It’s also an indication that fourth-round pick Rhamondre Stevenson’s may have done enough as a rookie to carve out a roster spot on a team that could be more run oriented than it has in years.
The depth chart also includes veteran James White, Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor.
Stevenson began the season at the bottom of that group, but quickly got the attention of the coaching staff. He’s rushed for four touchdowns in the first two exhibition games, including a 91-yard sideline scamper against Washington.
The Rams acquired Michel for a conditional selection of laterround picks in next season’s draft. Michel, a first-round pick by the Pats in 2018, could play a significant role immediately for a Rams offense running low on healthy options at running back with the regular season fast approaching.
Michel entered the preseason at a pivotal point of his injury-plagued career. The Patriots declined to pick up his fifth-year
option in May, clearing the way from him to become a free agent after this season.
During his rookie campaign, Michel fought through the lingering effects of the left knee injury he suffered as a senior at Georgia. He appeared in eight games and rushed for 931 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
But Michel had an excellent postseason as a rookie, rushing for 336 yards and scoring six touchdowns in New England’s three playoff games. Only Denver Broncos Hall of Famer Terrell Davis ever rushed for more TDS in a single postseason.
Michel appeared in 14 games in 2019, but his production declined. He ran for 912 yards and seven TDS with his yardsper-carry average falling to 3.7.
That average rose to 5.7 last season before a quadriceps
injury sidelined him for six games. The 26-year-old also spent a week on the COVID-19 list.
His contract status left him entering training camp fighting for a roster spot this season in New England.
White said it’s tough to see Michel depart, but said Stevenson’s hunger has stood out. Not bad for a guy who failed his initial conditioning test after being drafted out of Oklahoma.
“He’s gotten better and better as you can see during preseason games. He’s having big run after big run, big play after big play, but he’s continuing to learn more and more,” White said. “Not just about running the football, but the pass protection, catching the ball, all that good stuff . ... I am sure his number will get called on a little bit more.”