Fansided

Juiciest training camp battle for each NFL team

By Brad Weiss

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: The Arizona Cardinals select UCLA Quarterback Josh Rosen tenth overall during the first round of the NFL Draft on April 26, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
21 of 32
Next
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs to the end zone for a touchdown tying the game 31-31 in the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

New England Patriots: Sony Michel vs. Rex Burkhead

The New England Patriots were shocked by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl this past February, and they have had a pretty rocky offseason as well. The team saw a lot of their veteran talent fly the coop, and some have speculated that it came from the fact Bill Belichick may have cost them a Super Bowl ring by benching Malcolm Butler against the Eagles.

Whatever the case may be, the Patriots had to replace a bunch of weapons this offseason, especially on the offensive side of the ball. During the 2018 NFL Draft, the team went out and drafted a running back named Sony Michel, and he should be a good one for the Pats this upcoming season.

During his time at Georgia, Michel shared the backfield with Nick Chubb, who also was an early round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Michel is used to not being the only back that is featured, and in New England, he is going to be going through that once again.

The Patriots did lose Dion Lewis this offseason, so adding Michel via the draft made a lot of sense. Last season, Rex Burkhead showed he could be a featured back at times, and it will be up to Michel to try and earn his place atop the depth chart, which should feature a bunch of backs once again in 2018.

Burkhead scored eight touchdowns in his first season with the Patriots, finding the end zone through the air, as well as on the ground. Michel has the skill set to do something similar in year one, and we have seen some young backs come into the NFL recently and completely light the league on fire.