Sony Michel vs. James Conner: Who to own long term?

[Ron_Y]

Hi everyone,

I am hoping to get some discussion about these two players going, as i feel they are going to be close in value over the next few years and both have a shot to be in that second tier of RB for a while. We all know how tough it is to gauge the RB position on a year to year basis though - so i always like seeing what other peoples’ thought processes are.

Looking at 2018, on paper its very clear that Conner had a better season, especially in PPR. He is being ranked and drafted in a higher position which reflects his better season i believe, as well as lack of trust in the patriots backfield management. Anyway, nothing crazy - just hoping to have some good football discussion about two good players.

Conner (Age 24)
Rank 24
ADP 16
2018 Stats: 215-973-12 (4.5 ypc), 55-497-1 (receptions)

Michel (Age 24)
Rank 35
ADP 32
2018 Stats: 209-931-6 (4.5 ypc), 7-50-0 (receptions)

[Phaded]

Michel pretty easily for me.

Much better talent in my honest opinion.

[FantasyFreak]

Conner for me. I think he looks like a better football player on an NFL field. Conner cut weight from college and looks sleek. Big back with great feet. Got his chance and looks the part.

[Ice]

Conner for me. He is in the better situation. I like both backs quite a bit.

[UATahoe]

I am thinking in the opposite end of this one I guess. I don’t view either of these guys as good long term investments. Conner seems like a replaceable talent to me so injury could see him lose his stranglehold on that job. Not so sure they don’t divide up touches more anyways starting this year.

And the Patriots taking Harris in the 3rd round has me questioning Sony’s long term stying power and usage.

[Jfever]

Conner for me. I think he looks like a better football player on an NFL field. Conner cut weight from college and looks sleek. Big back with great feet. Got his chance and looks the part.

Yep. X2

[Dr. Trades]

Good debate/question here. I’m a Steelers fan, but something is strongly telling me not to trust Conner as the sure thing long and even short term. I could see a scenario where both Snell and Samuels get worked into that system enough to drop Conner at least a tier or two and become rather inconsistent from a fantasy perspective in the sense of boom/bust. I just don’t think they have a 100% investment in him. Do I think he’s good? Yes. But watching his film, he seems to be a good portion the product of that top 3-5 o-line, as well as the way the system is designed.

To me, on film from Georgia and as a rookie, Sony Michel is the far superior RB on talent alone. I also think that despite belicheck’s history of moving RBs around, they have a serious investment with Michel and he didn’t disappoint as a rookie. They didn’t rev him up until week four, he missed roughly 3 games in the middle of the season, and still rushed for nearly 1000 yards. He’s going to be featured even more this year with the departure of other players. I’m not really worried about Harris much at all. He’s not the talent that Michel is.

To me, Michel is actually a great buy low with people scared of the Harris pick. There may be a smidge more short term upside with Conner, but for dynasty purposes, I’d rather have Michel.

[lukkynumber13]

I am thinking in the opposite end of this one I guess. I don’t view either of these guys as good long term investments. Conner seems like a replaceable talent to me so injury could see him lose his stranglehold on that job. Not so sure they don’t divide up touches more anyways starting this year.

And the Patriots taking Harris in the 3rd round has me questioning Sony’s long term stying power and usage.

x2

[MEuRaH]

25 is prime age for a RB. Both are nearing that age very soon.

Conner is in the better offense. Michel is the better player. Therefore:

Conner short term (2 years). Michel long term (3 or more years).

[Ron_Y]

25 is prime age for a RB. Both are nearing that age very soon.

Conner is in the better offense. Michel is the better player. Therefore:

Conner short term (2 years). Michel long term (3 or more years).

Any thoughts on Michel's knee condition coming out of college?

[MEuRaH]

25 is prime age for a RB. Both are nearing that age very soon.

Conner is in the better offense. Michel is the better player. Therefore:

Conner short term (2 years). Michel long term (3 or more years).

Any thoughts on Michel's knee condition coming out of college?

I think it's fine. Unless his knee was mutilated (Marcus Lattimore) or an achilles popped (D'Onta Foreman), I wouldn't be concerned about it. All else is usually repaired well these days.

[Ron_Y]

25 is prime age for a RB. Both are nearing that age very soon.

Conner is in the better offense. Michel is the better player. Therefore:

Conner short term (2 years). Michel long term (3 or more years).

Any thoughts on Michel's knee condition coming out of college?

I think it's fine. Unless his knee was mutilated (Marcus Lattimore) or an achilles popped (D'Onta Foreman), I wouldn't be concerned about it. All else is usually repaired well these days.

Moreso looking at reports that he has a bone on bone condition similar to ajayi

[FantasyFreak]

Any thoughts on Michel's knee condition coming out of college?

I think it's fine. Unless his knee was mutilated (Marcus Lattimore) or an achilles popped (D'Onta Foreman), I wouldn't be concerned about it. All else is usually repaired well these days.

Moreso looking at reports that he has a bone on bone condition similar to ajayi

Yeah, and they said Ajayi would be lucky to make it to his 2nd contract, and now that's where we are at with him. I think the concerns are warranted with Michel, considering he missed time twice last year with a knee injury. This is worth a read.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/9 ... e_on_bone/

[MEuRaH]

I think it's fine. Unless his knee was mutilated (Marcus Lattimore) or an achilles popped (D'Onta Foreman), I wouldn't be concerned about it. All else is usually repaired well these days.

Moreso looking at reports that he has a bone on bone condition similar to ajayi

Yeah, and they said Ajayi would be lucky to make it to his 2nd contract, and now that's where we are at with him. I think the concerns are warranted with Michel, considering he missed time twice last year with a knee injury. This is worth a read.

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/9 ... e_on_bone/

Oh damn.... thanks for bringing this up. I honestly had no idea. It's not in my notes anywhere. I see the ACL tear but nothing else.

Welp.... I gotta start making some trade offers this season....

I'll take Conner btw. Something still bothers me with him though. Can't quite put my finger on it. I own zero shares of Conner and soon I'll own zero shares of Michel.

[FantasyDumDum]

Both have concerns.

Michel: bad knee, injuries rookie year, aging QB, lost Gronk, RBBC developing

Conner: less talented, aging QB, lost AB, lost elite OL and RB coaches, solid backups in Samuels/Snell


Not high on either. Toss up