New England Patriots: 5 burning questions in 2018
By Cody Rivera
4. Which rookie will be the most exciting to watch?
Even though the Patriots didn’t really address their need for their next franchise quarterback in the 2018 NFL Draft, they still performed pretty decently on draft night nonetheless. They picked twice in the first round, and both of their first rounders could end up being pivotal pieces to New England’s next championship team.
With the 23rd pick in the draft, they selected offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn out of Georgia, addressing their desperate need for more protection for Brady. Then with the 31st pick in the draft, they selected Wynn’s former Georgia teammate, running back Sony Michel.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see both players have big rookie seasons, but I believe the most exciting rookie to watch this year will be Michel. This offseason, the Patriots lost Dion Lewis, their top running back over the last two years who all but clinched last year’s AFC Championship Game over the Jaguars with his late run for a first down, to free agency.
New England countered by signing former Bengals running back Jeremy Hill, as well as drafting Michel. With those two new additions, the void left by Lewis’ departure should be adequately filled. But the explosive Michel could be on the verge of an exhilarating rookie season. As a senior for the Georgia Bulldogs last year, he accumulated 1,227 rushing yards on 156 carries in 14 games, while also scoring 16 touchdowns.
Michel had no better performance during his college football career than in the Rose Bowl last year, where he ran for 181 yards and three touchdowns, including scampering for 27 yards in double-overtime for the game-winning touchdown. If Michel brings that kind of play to the Patriots offense in 2018, it will be a thrilling ride for the fans to watch.