Sony trade Michel: Rams GM reveals plan for former first-round pick and what inspired LA to acquire him



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Sony Michel is a much-needed addition to the Los Angeles Rams backfield, especially after the team has lost Cam Akers for the year with a ripped ACL. Rams general manager Les Snead has clearly explored all options following Akers’ injury, trading fifth and sixth round picks in 2022 for the former first-round backer. The picks traded by LA could become a fourth-round pick, if the Rams get a compensating fourth-round pick in the next offseason.

The Rams gave the New England Patriots a potential high pick for Day 3 for a reason. Michel will be playing, but we don’t expect him to star in Los Angeles.

“It will be an additional backfield,” Rams general manager Les Snead told reporters on Wednesday. “What he brings is that element of making a cut, going north and south and going north and south with some force. The physics he brings to the table – let’s call it it was a kind of flavor that we felt we complemented our group. “

The Rams still have Darrell Henderson in their backfield, but not much else behind him. Jake Funk, Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais were reviewed during the preseason, although it was clear the Rams needed an upgrade to spell Henderson.

Michel and Henderson compliment each other, as Henderson did the same with Akers last season. Akers eventually took over the starring role, but Rams head coach Sean McVay prefers having two fullbacks in his offense – hence the reason Michel will be vital for Los Angeles in the future.

“We identified Sony for a number of reasons,” said Snead. “Number one, being his experience – and his experience, that is to say as a player who carried the ball in the big games and in those big games, where there were great moments, great training, great series – is the experience of where he played, how he was trained. So he was one of those players. If we were to go the path of experience, this was someone who would definitely watch him from the start. ”

The Rams are always trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together with their running backs, especially how Henderson and Michel will complement each other. Jones and Funk will still have roles in the backfield, but not as big as they were on Wednesday.

“I think we’ve certainly seen enough of it to say, ‘Okay, in this take with Jake and Xavier, that’s how they can contribute. Let’s call it Sunday night for the Rams. And that’s how it is. ‘They might contribute four or five weeks later, “Snead said.” So we’ve definitely identified that. And again, it’s now being done in phases and in stages.

“It could be a Sunday night against the role of the Bears. It could be more of a future role. And then all of a sudden unforeseen adversity happens, or attrition and the role just changed and that’s a role. most important. “

The Rams have improved as a quarterback, but have big questions to ask following Cam Akers’ Achilles injury. Can Los Angeles still do it in rugged NFC West? Download the CBS Sports app and get the latest surprising news, ideas and predictions from our team of experts. If you already have the CBS Sports app, give preference to Rams to always be in the know.



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