2021 NFL Draft: Five under-the-radar rookies for the 2021 season
By Kyle Edmond
Michael Carter, RB, NYJ
The New York Jets backfield has been a game of musical chairs the last few seasons. They tried to go the Le’Veon Bell route, but since that failed it’s been a group of players trying to get the job done. From Frank Gore to Josh Adams they’ve tried about everything, forcing them to explore more options this year.
The Jets added free agent Tevin Coleman to last year’s fourth-round pick Lamical Perine, but they added another back during the 2021 NFL Draft in Michael Carter. While Perine has more time in the offense and Coleman more NFL experience, the opportunity is still there for Carter to emerge, especially after being a committee running back at North Carolina.
Despite sharing the Tar Heels’ backfield, Carter was still able to tally over 1,000 yards rushing each of the last two seasons and at least 500 yards in each of his four years at North Carolina. He also found the end zone 22 times on the ground over the course of his career, including nine times during his senior campaign plus an additional six receiving touchdowns over his time as a Tar Heel.
Carter’s ability to produce in a committee role both in the running and passing games could be the key to him getting opportunities. If New York is looking to try Perine, Coleman, and Carter early to find the hot hand, that experience from North Carolina could play a huge role in Carter exiting as the favorite in the backfield.