NFL Draft 2018: Did Patriots reach too much for Georgia’s Sony Michel?

Although the Patriots may not have had the opportunity to draft Sony Michel on Day 2, they still reached for the Georgia running back in round one.

The Patriots’ offense got a little scarier on Thursday night as everyone’s favorite team to hate selected Georgia running back Sony Michel No. 31 overall.

It was an eye-opening pick simply because the Patriots didn’t necessarily need to add any backs given the fact they already have Mike Gillislee, James White, Jeremy Hill and Rex Burkhead. The addition of Michel seems like overkill, especially to spend a first-round pick on, but this is why the Patriots are the Patriots.

Michel is just another scary weapon at Tom Brady’s disposal. Although the future Hall of Fame quarterback may not have much time left in the league, he’s still proving to be a more-than-adequate passer in his old age. Adding another running back just takes pressure off his aging arm — which is a good thing.

The Georgia running back starred alongside fellow top draft prospect Nick Chubb but is a slightly smaller back. The two may be interchangeable at the next level because I think both have futures in this league.

It’ll be interesting to see how the Patriots utilize Michel, but Bill Belichick got his man and there’s a reason behind this pick that we will realize soon enough.

Next: Complete 7-round 2018 NFL Mock Draft

For most teams, this grade would be in the C-range, just because I think he could have fallen to the mid-to-late second round, but the Patriots usually make these kinds of players into stars. Michel will have an interesting role in that offense with running backs seemingly shuffling in and out each year at a record pace.

Grade: B-