NFL analyst: Georgia’s Sony Michel could be a surprise first rounder

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 18: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates beating the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Credit: Daniel Shirey

Credit: Daniel Shirey

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 18: Sony Michel #1 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates beating the Kentucky Wildcats at Sanford Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)

Former Georgia running back Sony Michel could sneak up in next week's NFL Draft, according to NFL.com's Tom Pelissero.

Michel, who racked up rushed for 2,613 yards and 33 touchdowns and received for 621 yards and six touchdowns in four season with the Bulldogs, was named one of four NFL prospects that could be surprise first rounders along with Arkansas center Frank Ragnow, Colorado cornerback Isaiah Oliver and South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst.

“Michel's character is considered a plus, too,” Pelissero wrote. “He's a three-down player. If Michel doesn't go high, one factor would probably be the medical report, which concerns some teams more than others. Michel missed just two games over the past three seasons, but he has dealt with some kind of injury every year.”

Pelissero also wrote he spoke with an NFC executive who called Michel the Draft’s “second-ranked back.”

“Michel's aggressive,” the NFC executive said, according to Pelissero. “He's downhill. He's got good vision. He's strong. He's got burst. He's explosive. Doesn't have elite long speed (4.54 in 40-yard dash at 5-11, 220 pounds), but he's pretty good.”