Once again, this pick depends on what the Buccaneers choose to do in the first round. They are highly expected to bolster their defensive backfield with their first round pick. Consequently, considering the players available and the needs the Bucs have, picking up a running back in round 2 would be smart, as you would not like to start the season with Peyton Barber as your starting running back.
Sony Michel, out of Georgia, might still be on the board when Tampa Bay is on the clock in the second round. Michel has a powerful build at 5’11” and 220 lbs. Michel has a high football IQ, he was the Captain for the Bulldogs for two years. Shows great acceleration after the cut and finds holes quickly. Strong enough to break arm tackles and keep his balance through contact. In his last year in college, he rushed for 1227 yards and added 16 Touchdowns.
Michel has great speed and excels at breaking long runs, which is proved by his six Touchdown runs that went for at least 16 yards. What makes these numbers even more impressive is the fact that Michel had to split carries with Georgia’s other formidable running back Nick Chubb, who may be another great option for the Buccaneers in Round 2, by the way.
He prefers a north-south running style, does not try to do too much in the backfield and thus rarely ends up getting tackled for negative yardage. He is a respected captain, a vocal leader in the locker room. He is good at reading blitzes and picking up rushers. He had decent results at the combine. His 40-yard dash was not thrilling, however, with a 4.54 seconds.
Conclusively, Sony Michel is definitely worth a second round pick and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be smart to pick him up if he is available at that point in the draft. The combination of his intelligence, of the game, size, pass protection, and leadership skills make him a great fit to be a starting running back in the NFL, by Week 1 of the Regular Season.
