Yeah, I agree with this and think that, unless it’s a transcendent talent like Barkley or Gurley, there’s no sense in using a first round pick on a running back. I still don’t really understand picking Michel at #31...it’s possible the scouting department did see him as a perennial pro bowl talent.
The blocking and schemes last year with Gronk, Allen, Develin, and a really dominant offensive line down the stretch was the main reason for the running success, but let’s not diminish what Sony did either. He was really good in the postseason in the open field and had some great runs, and he also filled in as a replacement for Blount near the goal line (I think the Pats regretted letting Blount walk in 2017.). You might recall 2017 was a struggle in short yardage situations.
I don’t know here...Michel is certainly not a bust and it’s not like he was a top 5 pick. He’s like most backs though and is just about as good as his blocking. The idea that the Patriots could have had Jackson is irrelevant in my opinion...that has more to do with their evaluation of Jackson than their evaluation of Michel. If they’d known he would be this good, they would have done everything they could to pick him. This is just the nature of the draft. I’m sure they didn’t pick Michel with the idea that “Jackson is our QB of the future for sure, and let’s hope he drops 20 more slots so we can steal him.”