Name: Sony Michel
Position: RB
School: Georgia
Ht/Wt: 5-11, 220
40-yard dash: 4.54 seconds
Bench: 22 reps
Vertical: (did not jump)
Broad: (did not jump)
3-cone: (did not run)
20-yard shuttle: 4.21 seconds
How he fits: Michel ran for 1,227 yards on just 156 carries this past season, an outstanding 7.9 yards per attempt, and scored 16 times on the ground for the Bulldogs.
View photos of NFL prospect Sony Michel.
Michel has good size at 220 pounds, but is also good in the passing game both in protection and as a receiver, which has some analysts comparing him to Saints star running back and reigning rookie of the year Alvin Kamara.
The Lions have two backs in Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick who are terrific in the pass game. Veteran LeGarrette Blount was added to bring toughness and a power element to the backfield. Michel is kind of a blend of both worlds, which is why he'd be a fit if the Lions decide to add to the running back room via the draft.
Key observations: Michel recorded 11 career 100-yard rushing games and scored 28 career rushing touchdowns. He was named the team's co-Offensive MVP and winner of the Charley Trippi Award as most versatile offensive player.
Michel finished his career third on UGA's all-time rushing list with 3,638 yards, having passed both Garrison Hearst and Todd Gurley.
What they had to say about him: "Michel is a well-built, no-nonsense runner who is able to combine vision, burst, and physicality. While he can make open field cuts to find additional yardage, his running style is more angular in nature and he thrives when playing north-south. He's not the most creative runner and he lacks some finesse, but his size, pass protection and ability to create yardage make him a natural fit as a future NFL starter." – Lance Zierlein
How he stacks up: Most draft analysts consider Michel to be the third best back available in this very deep class of runners behind Saquon Barkley and Derrius Guice. Michel could go off the board late in the first round, but he likely won't last through the second day of the draft.
Daniel Jeremiah lists Michel as the 23rd best prospect overall in his listing of the Top 50 players available.
NFL Draft Scout has Michel as the No. 47 prospect overall and he comes in at No. 29 on Scouts Inc.'s list. What he had to say: "Just being able to have vision and hit the hole well," Michel said at the Combine of his strengths as a runner. "Good speed, being able to run the football effectively."
