Looking back at every CB drafted ahead of Michael Carter II in the 2021 NFL Draft
By Justin Fried
![Michael Carter II Michael Carter II](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5517,h_3103,x_0,y_10/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/30/01j2pweae9qdgz6vsmvs.jpg)
The NY Jets haven't always been able to find the most success when it comes to discovering late-round gems in the NFL Draft, but one of the team's most recent success stories is slot cornerback Michael Carter II.
A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Carter was drafted as a hybrid safety/cornerback out of Duke and has quietly developed into arguably the best nickel corner in the entire NFL.
The 25-year-old is due for an extension in the near future, and the expectation is that he will soon become one of the highest-paid players at his position. Carter is an indispensable piece of this Jets defense.
That's why it's worth taking a look back at the 2021 NFL Draft to see just how the Jets were able to land their star cornerback. A total of 21 cornerbacks were drafted before Carter in 2021. Here's a look at all 21 of them.
Every cornerback drafted before Michael Carter II in 2021
Player | Team | Draft Position |
---|---|---|
Jaycee Horn | Carolina Panthers | Round 1, 8th overall |
Patrick Surtain II | Denver Broncos | Round 1, 9th overall |
Caleb Farley | Tennessee Titans | Round 1, 22nd overall |
Greg Newsome II | Cleveland Browns | Round 1, 26th overall |
Eric Stokes | Green Bay Packers | Round 1, 29th overall |
Tyson Campbell | Jacksonville Jaguars | Round 2, 33rd overall |
Kelvin Joseph | Dallas Cowboys | Round 2, 44th overall |
Asante Samuel Jr. | Los Angeles Chargers | Round 2, 47th overall |
Aaron Robinson | New York Giants | Round 3, 71st overall |
Benjamin St-Juste | Washington Football Team | Round 3, 74th overall |
Paulson Adebo | New Orleans Saints | Round 3, 76th overall |
Nahshon Wright | Dallas Cowboys | Round 3, 99th overall |
Elijah Molden | Tennessee Titans | Round 3, 100th overall |
Ifeatu Melifonwu | Detroit Lions | Round 3, 101st overall |
Ambry Thomas | San Francisco 49ers | Round 3, 102nd overall |
Brandon Stephens | Baltimore Ravens | Round 3, 104th overall |
Darren Hall | Atlanta Falcons | Round 4, 108th overall |
Zech McPhearson | Philadelphia Eagles | Round 4, 123rd overall |
Robert Rochell | Los Angeles Rams | Round 4, 130th overall |
Marco Wilson | Arizona Cardinals | Round 4, 136th overall |
Tre Brown | Seattle Seahawks | Round 4, 137th overall |
The 2021 cornerback class was loaded with talented players, and none stand out more than Denver Broncos' star Patrick Surtain II. Surtain has developed into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL and is a multi-time Pro Bowler.
Unfortunately, injuries have derailed the careers of some of the top cornerbacks in this class. Jaycee Horn has looked excellent when healthy, but he's played just 22 games over three years. Meanwhile, Caleb Farley has played just 12 career games for the Tennessee Titans.
Interestingly enough, one of Carter's primary competitors for the "best nickel cornerback in the NFL" label was also a member of this draft class, that being Greg Newsome II of the Cleveland Browns.
Some of the cornerbacks drafted ahead of Carter aren't even with the same team that drafted them anymore. The likes of Marco Wilson, Robert Rochell, and Darren Hall were all waived within a few years of joining the NFL.
slot CBs wanna be Like Mikeđź”’ pic.twitter.com/GMLFZOGJuF
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 29, 2024
Meanwhile, Carter has continued to dominate at the NFL level. The Duke product ranked first among all slot cornerbacks in catches allowed, yards allowed, yards per snap, and Pro Football Focus coverage grade in 2023.
He's one of the Jets' hidden stars. On a star-studded defense featuring household names like Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and C.J. Mosley, Carter often gets overlooked. But his production speaks for itself.
The Jets have arguably the best nickel cornerback in the NFL on their roster. The fact that 21 other cornerbacks were drafted before him makes his rise to stardom all the more impressive.
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