LA Rams: Why trading for RB Sony Michel is such a Les Snead move

Plug-n-play RB

The fit of running back Sony Michel is pretty obvious on two fronts. First and foremost, he has strong ties to LA Rams running back coach Thomas Brown. Michel was a running back for the Georgia Bulldogs when Brown coached there, and that relationship has remained strong to this day.

Los Angeles Rams

The other fit stems from the fact that Sony Michel is a bit of an upgrade to that of Darrell Henderson. Both rushers attack the perimeter, both rushers have been viewed by the NFL as smaller change-of-pace running backs. But while Henderson has carried the football 177 times for the LA Rams for 771 yards, Michel has toted the pigskin 535 times for 2,292 yards, all as a rotational player.

Sony Michel has never seen more than 420 offensive snaps in a single season, yet he has flirted with 1000 yard rushing seasons twice in his career. But where he truly shines is the fact that he has recorded 36 broken tackles over the past three seasons. So far, Darrell Henderson has recorded just 15.  In essence, the Rams have landed a Henderson-like running back who has three years of NFL experience, and who can also run through tackles. That seems like a good running back to put behind Matthew Stafford in this offense, right?

Well, it gets better. Since the LA Rams had lost their intended kick returner in Raymond Calais, Sony Michel can return kickoffs as well. While not extremely experienced, he did return four kickoffs for 77 yards in 2018. So it’s quite possible that he could be considered for that role as well. The Rams like versatile players.