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5 bold predictions for the New England Patriots in 2018

By Rucker Haringey

FOXBOROUGH, MA - JUNE 5: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the field as quarterback Tom Brady work on a passing drill at rear right during Patriots minicamp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on June 5, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JUNE 5: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick stands on the field as quarterback Tom Brady work on a passing drill at rear right during Patriots minicamp at the Gillette Stadium practice facility in Foxborough, MA on June 5, 2018. (Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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FOXBOROUGH, MA – MAY 31: New England Patriots quarterback Danny Etling (58) hands off the New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (64) during New England Patriots OTA on May 31, 2018, at the Patriots Practice Facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MA – MAY 31: New England Patriots quarterback Danny Etling (58) hands off the New England Patriots running back Sony Michel (64) during New England Patriots OTA on May 31, 2018, at the Patriots Practice Facility in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Sony Michel will be the Offensive ROY

A lot of draft experts were very surprised when New England elected to snap up Georgia running back Sony Michel at the end of round one. The reality is Michel has the chance to have the same sort of impact on the Patriots offense that Alvin Kamara provided the Saints in his rookie campaign.

If he does, he will win the Offensive ROY award in a landslide. Michel has the speed to break plays to the house and the wiggle to make defenders miss on the outside. The only real questions is how many opportunities he’ll get this season.

That’s where the departures of Lewis and Amendola really start to come into play. Unless Jeremy Hill experiences a career resurgence, Michel might be the most talented runner on the roster. Rex Burkhead isn’t anyone’s idea of a franchise back.

Even if he doesn’t get a ton of carries, he should be set up to be an integral part of the Patriots’ passing game. Of course he isn’t a wide receiver, but he can run similar routes to what Amendola gave Brady last season. Michel should be more than capable of giving Brady a safety blanket on short, outside routes.

At this point, we should all trust Bill Belichick when he makes an interesting move for talent. His decision to snap Michel up in the draft proves he has big plans for the talented tailback.

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