UPDATED: Patriots Select Running Back Sony Michel at #31 Overall
Friday, April 27, 2018
The New England Patriots selected Georgia running back Sony Michel with the 31st overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on Thursday night in Dallas.
Michel is the first skill position player that the Patriots have drafted in the first round since the selection of Laurence Maroney in 2005.
“We think that he is a pretty good football player so we picked the player. He’s got skills, he’s athletic, he’s good in space, he is a strong runner for his size of 210, 215 pounds, whatever he is so our thing is to pick good football players that have good traits,” said Patriots Director of Player Personnel Nick Caserio.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTMichel will have a chance to fill the role left by Dion Lewis, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.
Michel at Georgia
In four seasons with Georgia, Michel rushed for over 3,638 yards and 33 touchdowns on 591 carries.
In his senior season, Michel rushed for 1,227 yards and 16 touchdowns to help Georgia win the SEC Championship.
He averaged 7.9 yards per carry.
Michel also has shown the ability to be effective in the passing game. In his college career, he hauled in 64 passes for 621 yards and six touchdowns in his career.
Injury Concerns
Throughout his college career, Michel has battled numerous injuries include series knee injuries, ankle injuries, and a forearm injury.
According to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, there is speculation among NFL teams that Michel has a “bone-on-bone” condition in his knee that could hurt his NFL career.
“We take a lot of information in, there is a lot of information that we sought through. So in the end whatever you have with the player, you take whatever comes along with it. Your either comfortable or not comfortable with the player’s situation. In the end, we felt that we were comfortable with the player," Caserio said when asked about the injuries.
Patriots Select Wynn at #23
The pick of Michel follows the selection of his Georgia teammate Isaiah Wynn at #23 overall.
Related Slideshow: 5 Things to Know About the Patriots Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft
Related Articles
- Patriots to Host Jaguars in AFC Championship Game
- Patriots Roll Titans 35-14, Advance to 7th Straight AFC Championship
- What to Watch For: Jaguars vs Patriots - 2018 AFC Championship
- NEW: Patriots Advance to Super Bowl, Beat Jacksonville 24-20 in AFC Championship
- Patriots to Face Eagles in Super Bowl 52
- What to Watch For: Titans vs Patriots - 2018 AFC Divisional Playoffs
- Patriots to Host Titans in Divisional Round Playoff Game on Saturday
- Patriots Sign Former Steelers Linebacker Harrison
- What to Watch For: Jets vs Patriots
- Patriots Cruise Past Jets 26-6, Lock up #1 Seed in AFC
- Patriots Respond to ESPN Story Claiming “Dysfunction” in the Organization
- LIVE: Comic Cunningham On Creating Patriots Parody Video “Amen-Dola”
- Biggs & Gonzalez Sing Patriots Parody Smash Hit “Amen-Dola” On LIVE
- Patriots Trade Cooks to Rams for 1st Round Draft Pick
- Reports: Patriots’ Amendola to Dolphins, Says NFL Network’s Hellie
- Legendary Patriots Commentator Gil Santos Dies at 80
- Patriots 2018 Regular Season Schedule Released
- 5 Things to Know About the Patriots Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft
- Disturbing Number of NE Patriots Claim Brain Injuries, According to Lawsuit
- Patriots Defensive Coordinator Patricia Named Head Coach of Lions
- Former Patriots Receiver Randy Moss Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame
- What to Watch For: Eagles vs Patriots - Super Bowl 52
- 5 Reasons Why This Will Be the Patriots Last Trip to the Super Bowl for a Long While
- Patriots Fall to Eagles 41-33 in Super Bowl 52, Can’t Overcome Errors
- UPDATED: Patriots Pick Georgia Offensive Lineman Isaiah Wynn at #23 Overall