2021 NFL Draft: North Carolina RB Michael Carter scouting report

The 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with exciting running back talent at the top and throughout the class. Najee Harris and Travis Etienne are considered by most to be the top players at the position and possible first-round selection, but there will be plenty of opportunities for running back-needy teams to fill their hole at the position.

Today, we are going to take a look at North Carolina running back Michael Carter. Carter was one-half of the best running back duo in college football this past season, sharing backfield duties with teammate Javonte Williams. Both players have been getting plenty of 2021 NFL Draft hype, but it is Williams who is commonly looked at as the better player. That being said, let’s not ignore Carter, as he feels like an ideal fit for the modern NFL.

Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina

Height: 5-foot-8
Weight: 202 pounds
2020 stats (11 games): 156 carries for 1,245 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. 25 receptions for 267 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Career stats (44 games): 514 carries for 3,404 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns. 82 receptions for 656 yards and six receiving touchdowns.

Height and weight come from Senior Bowl measurements via Pro Football Network. Statistics come via Sports-Reference.

Carter was a four-star prospect out of high school who chose to attend North Carolina despite holding offers from major SEC programs like Florida, Tennessee and Mississippi State. Carter was able to get on the field immediately for the Tar Heels, piling up eight rushing touchdowns on 97 carries as a true freshman in 2017. Carter continued to make an impact in a reserve role in 2018, before taking on a larger role in the offense as a junior in 2019.

These past two seasons, Carter and Williams split the running back duties at UNC, with Williams providing the power as the bigger, bruising back and Carter bringing the speed and elusiveness to the table. Both players took their games to the next level this past season and have set themselves up well to be selected high in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Carter is an extremely quick and elusive back who is difficult for any player to take down in the open field. He displays tremendous ball carrier vision, seeing the hole in an instant and using his quickness to get to the hole. Carter also shows impressive burst through the line of scrimmage, getting up to full speed in an instant and racing away from the defense for the big play.

While Carter’s speed obviously makes him an exciting player on outside runs, do not sleep on his ability to run on the inside. He is never going to be the guy who will grind away from tough yardage, but his advanced vision allows him to find the holes quickly and shoot through the gap for a strong gain.

While a majority of his college production came on the ground, Carter did show some exciting ability as a pass-catcher out of the backfield as well. Carter is a quick and decisive route runner who displays soft hands and does a great job of creating after the catch. Simply put, Carter is an elusive and explosive player with the ball in his hands who shows impressive playmaking ability no matter how he gets the ball. Just get this guy the ball in space and let him do work.

Carter is never going to be a bell-cow running back at the next level, but he is an extremely talented player who fits the modern NFL extremely well. Whoever drafts him is going to want to pair him with a powerful running-mate, but if his team gives him opportunities to work in space, Carter undoubtedly has massive upside. Make no mistake about it, Carter is an exciting offensive playmaker who is worth investing a middle Day 2 pick on in the 2021 NFL Draft.