It’s almost unfair.
After breaking out in his rookie season to the tune of 1,267 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games (including the postseason), Sony Michel faces even greater adversity now than he did as an unknown commodity coming out of college.
Sure, any first-round draft pick is going to encounter his share of immediate pressure upon entering the league. It’s the added weight and responsibility that accompanies all the glory and fanfare of being selected on Thursday as opposed to Friday or Saturday. One need look no further than the intensive scrutiny on Michel and fellow blue-chip draftee Isaiah Wynn – or on receiver N’Keal Harry this year – to see concrete examples of just how high the bar is set for these young men when they’re drafted in the first round.