Sonny Mitchell is a much-needed addition to the Los Angeles Rams backfield, especially once the team lost Cam Acres for the year with a torn ACL. Rams general manager Les Snead apparently explored all options after Akers' injury, trading for fist-rounds prior to the fifth & sixth rounds of 2022. If the Rams get a compensatory fourth-round pick the following season, the L.A. Traded potentially becomes a fourth-rounder.
The Rams gave the New England Patriots a potential High Day 3 pick for a reason. Michelle will play, but she is not expected to be featured in Los Angeles.
"It's going to be a complementary backfield," Rams general manager Les Snead told reporters on Wednesday. "What he brings is this element of cutting, get north & south & with some force get north & south. The physics he brings to the table - let's call it a taste of style that we realized complements our group."
The Rams still have Darrell Henderson in their backfield, but there isn't much behind them. Jake Funk, Xavier Jones, & Raymond Calais were given a look during the preseason, even though it was clear that the Rams needed an upgrade in order to spell Henderson.
Mitchell & Henderson compliment each other, just like Henderson did with Acres last season. Akers eventually took the lead, but Rams head coach Sean McVay prefers to have two backs in his offense – so Mitchell will be crucial for Los Angeles going forward.
"We recognized Sony for a number of reasons," Snead said. "Number one, his experience - & experience, which means like a player who has carried the ball in big games & in big games where big moments, big drives, big series - is the experience where he played, How he was trained. So, he was one of those players. If we were to go down the path of experience, he was someone who would definitely keep an eye on him from the start."
The Rams are still trying to keep the pieces of the puzzle together with their running backs, especially in how Henderson & Mitchell will complement each other. Jones & Funk will still have roles in the backfield, but not as prominent as they were going on Wednesday.
"I think we've definitely seen enough to go, 'Okay, in this take with Jake & Xavier this is how they can contribute. Let's call it Sunday night for the Rams. And that's how they might be able to contribute after four or five weeks,'" Sneed said. "So, we've definitely identified that. And then, now it comes in stages & stages.
"It could be a Sunday night against the Bears role. It could be more of a future role. And then all of a sudden, some unexpected adversity happens, or the accident & the role just changes & it's a more important role. "