Sony Michel Traded to Rams: Fantasy Football Rapid Reaction (2021)

We’re back to provide the rapid reaction to the Los Angeles Rams’ acquisition of running back Sony Michel and the fantasy football implications of the trade.

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The Details of the Trade

Patriots RB Sony Michel is being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for two conditional late-round picks.

Fantasy Impact
The Patriots in return will receive a fifth- and sixth-round pick from the Rams. Michel likely picks up more work in Los Angeles than he would have in New England after the emergence of Rhamondre Stevenson. Michel was a possible roster cut, so instead the Pats were able to get some compensation in return. Darrell Henderson probably loses a few touches to Michel, but he’s still the back to roster in Los Angeles. Damien Harris might be the biggest winner of all in this deal as he now becomes the unquestioned RB1 for the Patriots.

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Kyle Yates shares his outlook for both Darrell Henderson and Sony Michel following Michel’s trade to the Rams.

Darrell Henderson (RB15)
While it’s unfortunate how we got here, Henderson’s absolutely now in the conversation for a potential league-winner in 2021. While the general public seems to doubt Henderson’s abilities, he’s an exceptional RB that oddly enough got buried on his own depth chart at the end of last season. In the six games where he saw more than 12 carries last year, Henderson finished as a top-12 RB three times and only finished outside the top-24 RBs twice. This was with the offense being held back by Jared Goff and his deficiencies, which is no longer the case here in LA with Matthew Stafford in town. This offense is going to be in the red zone a lot and Henderson’s going to be the clear option at the goal line. He has the potential to be a league-winner where he’s going in drafts right now and he’s a solid RB2 selection for your rosters. Side note: the acquisition of Sony Michel is simply for depth purposes. He’s not going to take away significant work from Henderson.

Sonny Michel (RB58)
With the fantastic play of Rhamondre Stevenson this pre-season, the Patriots felt comfortable trading away Michel to the Los Angeles Rams. Now in LA, Michel is simply there for depth purposes behind Darrell Henderson. He’s worth monitoring on the waiver wire in your redraft leagues – or even selecting with a late pick in deep leagues – but it’s unlikely that he’ll see significant playing time unless Henderson were to miss time with an injury.

Others impacted:

Damien Harris (RB33)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB61)

And here is Joe Pisapia’s take on the trade:

I think the reason Darrell Henderson ADP never took off was the feeling this sort of move was inevitable.

Good deal for both sides. Bad deal for Henderson over-payers in fantasy.
Harris, Stevenson ?
Michel/Henderson time share TBDhttps://t.co/wMUGwHQWu1

— Joe Pisapia (@JoePisapia17) August 25, 2021