Fantasy Upside
Sony Michel totaled 931 yards rushing in 2018 in only 13 regular-season games, and in Week 12-16, he averaged 11.6 fantasy points per game in .5 PPR leagues, 16th-most among running backs in that timeframe. This is especially notable given his surprisingly near-non-existant use as a receiver. Michel then cranked it up a notch in the playoffs, with 336 yards rushing to go along with six touchdowns.
Fantasy Downside
Sony Michel had a "clean-up" procedure on his knee in August of 2018, missing the pre-season as well as Week 1. He then injured his knee in Week 7, missing the following two games. He had another minor procedure in June of 2019, and is expected to start training camp on the PUP list. New England presumably drafted Damien Harris as a hedge against an in-season injury to Michel, but if Harris maximizes his opportunity in preseason, it's conceivable that he eats into Michel's workload. If Michel misses any time with knee issues, there's at least some risk that Harris claims his starting role.
2019 Bottom Line
Michel could end up as a high-end fantasy RB2 in an ideal scenario in 2019, but our projections are bearish on that outcome, ranking him as the RB36. Even if doesn't miss any time with knee issues, he still faces volume concerns in the Patriots' deep running back group. He's a clear fade with an ADP in the fourth round as the RB21, but if his ADP continues to drop into the sixth round or later in the offseason, he would enter value territory.