NY Jets draft dynamic, explosive RB Michael Carter in Round 4

The NY Jets have continued their commitment to the offensive side of the ball with the selection of North Carolina running back Michael Carter in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Jets have made four picks to this point. All four have been offensive players.

Evidently, general manager Joe Douglas is serious about building around rookie quarterback Zach Wilson. And the Carter pick is further proof of that.

Douglas has now added a day-one starter on the offensive line in Alijah Vera-Tucker, an explosive wide receiver in Elijah Moore, and a dynamic running back in Carter.

This offense could be a lot of fun.

The NY Jets landed an excellent playmaker in Michael Carter

A two-year starter at North Carolina, Carter helped spearhead arguably the nation’s best running back duo alongside future second-round pick Javonte Williams.

Carter topped 1,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons being named third-team All-ACC in 2019 and first-team All-ACC as well as third-team All-American in 2020.

The soon-to-be 22-year-old was a dynamic dual-threat running back in college making plays as both a runner and receiver. Carter hauled in 21 or more catches in each of his final three seasons and has soft hands that should allow him to contribute in the passing game.

He’s a patient runner with the vision needed to excel in an outside-zone scheme. While he’s never going to be a three-down, between-the-tackles runner (at just 5-foot-7, 201 pounds), Carter is compact, elusive, and has good outside speed.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better fit for a Mike LaFleur offense in this draft than Carter.

Carter will join a crowded Jets backfield featuring the likes of Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, La’Mical Perine, and Josh Adams. The Jets have speed in their running back committee now, and Carter will be a big part of it.

Expect Carter to slot in as a day-one contributor on offense with the chance to even take over as the “lead” back by the season’s end. Notably, he’s also a much better fit for the current scheme than 2020 fourth-round pick La’Mical Perine.

The Jets landed another offensive playmaker in Michael Carter. The offensive rebuild is in full force.