Fortifying what has recently been a subpar running back corps, Miami inked former enemy Sony Michel to a one-year, $1.75 million contract, with $850,000 guaranteed. The post-draft addition adds another proven veteran to what has become a crowded offensive backfield.
The pluses: At just 27 years old, Michel is coming off his second Super Bowl title in four years in the league. The 5-11, 215-pounder has 3,137 career rushing yards, with 18 touchdowns and a 4.2 yards-per-carry average. After starting 35 games in three seasons as a former first-round pick in New England, he was traded to the Rams prior to last season for fifth- and sixth-round picks. The Orlando native led Los Angels with 845 yards and four scores, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Michel has just three lost fumbles in his career and shined in games against the Dolphins, racking up 437 yards and four touchdowns in six career contests against Miami.
The negatives: Michel has never had a 1,000-yard season and was an afterthought in the postseason for the Rams a season ago, posting just 80 yards and no scores on 3.1 yards per attempt. He's not much of a threat to break chunk plays (with a long run of 48 yards in his career) nor is he a receiving threat, with just 47 catches for 386 yards and two touchdowns in his career. The Patriots gave up on him as a former first-rounder in an injury-limited season after he averaged 5.7 yards per carry, and Michel now joins his third team in as many seasons.
The bottom line: Michel is best as a grinding, between-the-tackles runner, making him an interesting candidate for Miami's new zone blocking scheme -- especially with the injury histories of the Dolphins' current backs. With Raheem Mostert and Chase Edmonds adding speed to the backfield in free agency, Michel is likely to be counted on to earn the tough yards, with his shifty style in the hole probably making him a better fit than incumbents Myles Gaskin and Salvon Ahmed. While his career is no longer trending in the right direction, one gets the sense that there is still some meat on the bone for Michel, and as an extremely late addition in post-draft free agency, this feels like a low-key strong move for the 'Fins.
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