Patriots Player Departure Pats trade Sony Michel to LAR

[DaBruinz]

Exactly this.

Sony was the only guy in the room this year who has proven he can do all three levels of playing the position: run well, pass protect well, and now, catch and run well.

And now we're right back to defenses knowing whether we're running or passing by looking at the RB.

We'll agree to disagree that defenses will know whether we're running or passing by looking at the RB. There's this lovely thing called the Play-Action Pass. You might have heard of it..

I think that we're going to see Harris, Stevenson and White all used in the passing game. Especially if Jones is the starter..

 

[Simpelton]

I'm not sure I like this decision but I bet the progress shown by Rhamondre Stevenson is the single biggest reason it happened.

I still think Michel has plenty to offer if he's not the centerpiece RB. I kinda suspect he'll emerge in that offense and have something of a renaissance.

Fun fact: Last year, even with the injury, was Michel's best year as a pass catcher. He's not a bell cow but he was making progress as a 2 way back and I think the Rams are a team that's going to exploit that.

I don't love this move because everyone knows that there's a lot of attrition in the RB room in any given year. You want as much depth as reasonable. There's been time in each of the last 4 seasons where an extra RB would have made life much easier for the team.

 

[Uptown]

For those who want context/detail..

 

[libra957]

Now N'keal has to make the cut and magically shine this season or else there goes another 1st round pick.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I was wrong in thinking he stays. However, I'm in the minority not liking what I saw from him this preseason. His knees looked shot and it took a lot from him to change direction. He couldn’t make one guy miss on a screen pass that had a big gain ahead of him which the announcers pointed out. He has to have a clear path to be effective.

Good for him he gets a chance to be a starter with the Rams.

Look for Rham to get a lot touches this year.

 

[DaBruinz]

Are you going to keep all six?

Why is it that so many assume that Bolden is making the team? He's 31, skipped last year, and is primarily a special teamer with very limited value as a running back. His only plus as a RB is that he knows the system.

Jakob Johnson, as the lead blocking back, brings more to the table.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

We are stacked at running back. They are dime a dozen. Better to trade Michel since he will be a free agent next year and replace him with the new guys who look great and will be cheaper

a dime a dozen until you dont have one, remember when we had to use Cordarelle Patterson as a RB?

We should be fine, but all it takes is 1-2 injuries and the RB depth picture dramatically changes

 

[Triumph]

It's amazing how much more the Patriots' picks are worth than other teams'! When NE spends a mid/late pick on a kicker or punter, or packages one in a trade to move up, it's a shameful waste of an an incredibly valuable asset. But when they receive one from another team it's utterly worthless.

I like Michel but he was a major injury risk, in the last year of his contract, and wasn't even going to suit up here. Harris 1A, Stevenson for short yardage, White for 3rd downs, Bolden & Taylor for special teams...even if they had managed to find roster space for Michel he was on track to be a gameday inactive. And RB is a heavily devalued position leaguewide with few needy teams. Fair value IMO.

Terrible horse trading.

A 1st round pick in 2018 is worth maybe a 4th round pick after 3 seasons. The Rams basically pulled a Belichick move. LA gave up little for a 1st round pick with low miles. Conversely, Jamal Adams fetched 2 - 1sts and a 3rd.

 

[Delicate Genius]

 

[RobertWeathers]

Terrible horse trading.

A 1st round pick in 2018 is worth maybe a 4th round pick after 3 seasons. The Rams basically pulled a Belichick move. LA gave up little for a 1st round pick with low miles. Conversely, Jamal Adams fetched 2 - 1sts and a 3rd.

Rubbish.

Sony was a used BMW with 145k miles when he was drafted.

Those tires had very little tread left.

 

[loosebearing]

The number one reason that the return value was as low as it is (bottom of 4th or a 5th and a 6th) is because Sony only has 1 year left on his contract. Teams were waiting to pounce on the RB that was going to be cut. Getting something is better than getting nothing. Plus it keeps from losing someone else at RB or other positions that could be valuable for future years when cutting down to the 53. ( JJ Taylor /Cowart / Cajuste / Spense / Davis / Colbert / King / Wilkerson / Bryant). Finally I thing BB really liked Sony. He sent him the the Rams and he probably could have gotten a similar deal with the Jaguars. (with Etienne out). He did Sony a real solid to have a really good year to cash in on a good contract next year. We know Bill can and does make the call of helping ( and NOT helping) his players as they leave.

 

[amfootball]

The number one reason that the return value was as low as it is (bottom of 4th or a 5th and a 6th) is because Sony only has 1 year left on his contract. Teams were waiting to pounce on the RB that was going to be cut. Getting something is better than getting nothing. Plus it keeps from losing someone else at RB or other positions that could be valuable for future years when cutting down to the 53. ( JJ Taylor /Cowart / Cajuste / Spense / Davis / Colbert / King / Wilkerson / Bryant). Finally I thing BB really liked Sony. He sent him the the Rams and he probably could have gotten a similar deal with the Jaguars. (with Etienne out). He did Sony a real solid to have a really good year to cash in on a good contract next year. We know Bill can and does make the call of helping ( and NOT helping) his players as they leave.

Really great points here.

 

[TheRainMaker]

LA gave up little for a 1st round pick with low miles.

In carries yes, but he runs like he’s 35.

 

[DaBruinz]

The number one reason that the return value was as low as it is (bottom of 4th or a 5th and a 6th) is because Sony only has 1 year left on his contract. Teams were waiting to pounce on the RB that was going to be cut. Getting something is better than getting nothing. Plus it keeps from losing someone else at RB or other positions that could be valuable for future years when cutting down to the 53. ( JJ Taylor /Cowart / Cajuste / Spense / Davis / Colbert / King / Wilkerson / Bryant). Finally I thing BB really liked Sony. He sent him the the Rams and he probably could have gotten a similar deal with the Jaguars. (with Etienne out). He did Sony a real solid to have a really good year to cash in on a good contract next year. We know Bill can and does make the call of helping ( and NOT helping) his players as they leave.

You and everyone like you are delusional if you think that Michel was getting cut.

It's funny you mention Cowart (on PUP), Colbert (who hasn't done jack), Wilkerson (dime a dozen), and Spence (unlikely to be claimed by anyone) as potential losses during the cuts to 53.

The reasoning for the trade is to get a better return a year earlier. As @Patscap on twitter pointed out, no one was giving Michel a $10M/year deal. And that's the only way they'd get a 4th round comp in return in 2023. They were likely looking at a 6th round comp in 2023.

This way they get a 5th and 6th in 2022 (a year earlier) and it could become a 4th round comp if the Rams get one for John Johnson.

 

[Kdo5]

I'm not thrilled with this trade, though on some level I understand it. I have always thought Michel was underappreciated while he was here. He DID rush for 4.3ypc during his 3 years here. NIck Chubb HAS averaged almost a yard better, BUT he's also gotten his QB killed on too many occasions. Michel has been an effective player in ALL areas that the Pats require of its RB's. He's also an example of fans hating on a player who was overdrafted. He was labelled with the "first round" expectations that seem to equate the 31st pick with something much higher.

The draftniks will tell you have players selected in the 20's and 30's (where the Pats have picked for most the last 20 years) are players lumped the same talent level as most of the 2nd round. When choosing between Chubb (who went 4 picks later) and Michell, I'm guessing Bill went for the guy who could catch the ball better and could block for his QB. Personally I was hoping for Chubb if they were going to go with a RB that high, but like most fans I don't consider things like blocking ability (which is probably why Bill never asks me for my advise in April)

Watching how smooth Sony has looked catching the ball this preseason, kind of makes you wonder why he didn't do more of it the last 3 years, but that is a discussion for another day. I worry about Stephenson learning on the run about pass protection, but my guess they will limit the times when he has to do it for now. I worry about the depth now. Harris has had a significant injury history. So our RB depth is a lead back who can't stay on the field, at rookie and two 3rd down backs. A lot more risky situation for a team who will live or die on a strong running game.

As for the value, I can only laugh at those who have for 3 years complained about Michel, and then immediately slam the fact BB didn't get more for a player they said sucked. It's what I expect of Jet fans, alas. Getting a 4th round pick for just about any RB is a reasonable pick up. Its just the reality of the NFL these days. Though I wish they had gotten the Rams 4th rather than the comp pick. And now that I think on it, since picking toward the end of the draft is such a crap shoot, I wonder if the Pats would be better off with the 5h and 6th. 2 shots rather than one.

I believe the Pats need to have 2 healthy rushing RB's for each game in order for this offense to reach its potential. In my mind that requires having 3 guys on the roster who can do that, since it is likely that one guy will be nicked up at any one time. So my guess is that they think Taylor can be that 3rd guy.

I think the Rams got exactly what they needed and greatly benefitted from the depressed value of the RB position. The Pats got reasonable value for a player who played a position where there is a glut of talent. Fair deal all around

Injury to Harris is a valid concern but JJ Taylor may be a good runner in addition to a pass catcher like Dion Lewis. If that’s the case we are in fine shape with three good runners.

 

[203Pat]

If that were true, why didn’t the Rams do that ? They gave up draft choices.

Don't ask me, ask Les Snead.

 

[zydecochris]

He had a fantastic 2018 post season impossible to forget

Thanks Sony and good luck

So many teams mortgage the future in a "Win Now!!" mode either by cap shenanigans to pay the piper in later years or by trading multiple future firsts for a particular player (usually a QB), and that is usually only to get a chance at at being somewhat competitive for a Superbowl.

The Pats draft Sony, he is clearly an important part to a Lombardi trophy that first year and all many posters can talke about was what a waste the draft pick was.

...Methinks us Pats Fans are a bit spoiled.

 

[RobertWeathers]

...Methinks us Pats Fans are a bit spoiled.

 

[ZoisKing]

Value seems appropriate. Drafted a RB in the 4th this past draft. Move a RB for a 4th next draft.

 

[loosebearing]

You and everyone like you are delusional if you think that Michel was getting cut.

It's funny you mention Cowart (on PUP), Colbert (who hasn't done jack), Wilkerson (dime a dozen), and Spence (unlikely to be claimed by anyone) as potential losses during the cuts to 53.

The reasoning for the trade is to get a better return a year earlier. As @Patscap on twitter pointed out, no one was giving Michel a $10M/year deal. And that's the only way they'd get a 4th round comp in return in 2023. They were likely looking at a 6th round comp in 2023.

This way they get a 5th and 6th in 2022 (a year earlier) and it could become a 4th round comp if the Rams get one for John Johnson.

Ah. English language my dear boy. I never said that Sony was going to be cut. I said RB to be cut (they aren't keeping 7 counting Johnson). That is why I put JJ in my RATHER list. I was using examples of the RATHER off the top of my head - because if I used the obvious (Harry / Williams / Asiasi / Jennings ) then people like you would have become emotional and missed the point ( but you still did ! What a shock)