Tag: Michael Carter

Jets prioritized versatility & athleticism over positions & production in the draft

Joe Douglas drafted one of the most athletic and versatile classes of the year. This strategy comes with a lot of risk and reward.

The Jets went offense-heavy for their first four picks of the draft and closed things out with a defensive run on Day 3. What almost every one of Joe Douglas’ picks has in common, however, is athleticism and versatility.

New York tied for the fourth most athletic draft class in the league, according to NFL NextGen Stats. They trailed only the Dolphins, Cardinals and Panthers. The Jets also drafted the most players with at least a 75 athleticism score (6), per NextGen Stats, highlighted by second-round pick Elijah Moore and sixth-round picks Jonathan Marshall and Brandin Echols. Moore finished with an athleticism and production score of 91 – the only receiver in the draft to do so – while Marshall and Echols both scored a 99. Marshall’s score was the highest of all defensive tackles in the draft.

Athleticism scores aside, the Jets also drafted a ton of flexible players throughout the draft. Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker can also play tackle, while  Moore and running back Michael Carter can make plays from all over the field. On defense, the Jets will convert hybrid safeties Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen into weakside linebackers. They also picked two defensive backs, Echols and Michael Carter II, who can play in the slot and on the outside cornerback. They also drafted CB Jason Pinnock, whose length and speed are his greatest attributes.

Even Zach Wilson fits this mold at quarterback. Though he was incredibly productive last year at BYU, the Jets appeared more enamored by his traits than his stats. Scouts raved about Wilson’s arm strength during the season and at his pro day, as well as his mobility inside and outside the pocket. The Jets didn’t care that Wilson played against lesser competition than Justin Fields or Mac Jones – what mattered was his ability to make great plays.

This is the Douglas and Robert Saleh way: find as many talented athletes as you can and use them all over the field. Saleh saw it firsthand in Seattle when Pete Carroll built his defense in the early 2010s with positionless defenders and when third-rounder Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback. Douglas, meanwhile, played a role in the development of Ravens and Eagles championship teams built around athletic draft classes. 

For the offense, it makes sense to go this route. Mike LaFleur’s scheme is all about making space for the quarterback, running back and receivers. The best way to do that is to acquire talented athletes. He watched Kyle Shanahan deploy this strategy during their stops together, especially in San Francisco. The 49ers’ best offensive weapons were their tight end, an undrafted running back and two speedy receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Wilson, Moore and Carter all fit that mold perfectly and give LaFleur a lot of options when it comes to his weekly game plan. Any type of play will be on the table for him, especially with an offensive line that excels in zone-blocking. That’s where Vera-Tucker comes in to join Mekhi Becton and George Fant.

The defense benefits the most from this idea of positionless football, though. The Seahawks defense is the best example of this idea working flawlessly and the Jets have tried to emulate it as well as they could. The defensive line was already super athletic and versatile with Quinnen Williams and Foley Fatukasi in the middle with Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers on the edge, but the addition of Sherwood and Nasirildeen gives the front-seven the added bonus of impressive coverage skills in the middle of the field. 

Just watch Sherwood drop into coverage after lining up over the A-gap here and playing fantastic defense on the receiver:

The Jets didn’t have anywhere close to that type of playmaking ability in years past. That will change with defenders with experience at safety and linebacker playing alongside C.J. Mosley in the middle.

The opportunities the Jets will have with an offense and defense that features skilled players who won’t be pigeonholed are almost endless. It also puts a big burden on the coaching staff to reign in its players to ensure maximum potential. There is a lot of benefit in drafting this way, and also a lot of risk.

If the Jets can take advantage of what they accomplished, the team’s young core could develop into a threat on both sides of the ball.

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Jets prioritized versatility & athleticism over positions & production in the draft

Joe Douglas drafted one of the most athletic and versatile classes of the year. This strategy comes with a lot of risk and reward.

The Jets went offense-heavy for their first four picks of the draft and closed things out with a defensive run on Day 3. What almost every one of Joe Douglas’ picks has in common, however, is athleticism and versatility.

New York tied for the fourth most athletic draft class in the league, according to NFL NextGen Stats. They trailed only the Dolphins, Cardinals and Panthers. The Jets also drafted the most players with at least a 75 athleticism score (6), per NextGen Stats, highlighted by second-round pick Elijah Moore and sixth-round picks Jonathan Marshall and Brandin Echols. Moore finished with an athleticism and production score of 91 – the only receiver in the draft to do so – while Marshall and Echols both scored a 99. Marshall’s score was the highest of all defensive tackles in the draft.

Athleticism scores aside, the Jets also drafted a ton of flexible players throughout the draft. Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker can also play tackle, while  Moore and running back Michael Carter can make plays from all over the field. On defense, the Jets will convert hybrid safeties Jamien Sherwood and Hamsah Nasirildeen into weakside linebackers. They also picked two defensive backs, Echols and Michael Carter II, who can play in the slot and on the outside cornerback. They also drafted CB Jason Pinnock, whose length and speed are his greatest attributes.

Even Zach Wilson fits this mold at quarterback. Though he was incredibly productive last year at BYU, the Jets appeared more enamored by his traits than his stats. Scouts raved about Wilson’s arm strength during the season and at his pro day, as well as his mobility inside and outside the pocket. The Jets didn’t care that Wilson played against lesser competition than Justin Fields or Mac Jones – what mattered was his ability to make great plays.

This is the Douglas and Robert Saleh way: find as many talented athletes as you can and use them all over the field. Saleh saw it firsthand in Seattle when Pete Carroll built his defense in the early 2010s with positionless defenders and when third-rounder Russell Wilson took over as the starting quarterback. Douglas, meanwhile, played a role in the development of Ravens and Eagles championship teams built around athletic draft classes. 

For the offense, it makes sense to go this route. Mike LaFleur’s scheme is all about making space for the quarterback, running back and receivers. The best way to do that is to acquire talented athletes. He watched Kyle Shanahan deploy this strategy during their stops together, especially in San Francisco. The 49ers’ best offensive weapons were their tight end, an undrafted running back and two speedy receivers in Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Wilson, Moore and Carter all fit that mold perfectly and give LaFleur a lot of options when it comes to his weekly game plan. Any type of play will be on the table for him, especially with an offensive line that excels in zone-blocking. That’s where Vera-Tucker comes in to join Mekhi Becton and George Fant.

The defense benefits the most from this idea of positionless football, though. The Seahawks defense is the best example of this idea working flawlessly and the Jets have tried to emulate it as well as they could. The defensive line was already super athletic and versatile with Quinnen Williams and Foley Fatukasi in the middle with Carl Lawson and John Franklin-Myers on the edge, but the addition of Sherwood and Nasirildeen gives the front-seven the added bonus of impressive coverage skills in the middle of the field. 

Just watch Sherwood drop into coverage after lining up over the A-gap here and playing fantastic defense on the receiver:

The Jets didn’t have anywhere close to that type of playmaking ability in years past. That will change with defenders with experience at safety and linebacker playing alongside C.J. Mosley in the middle.

The opportunities the Jets will have with an offense and defense that features skilled players who won’t be pigeonholed are almost endless. It also puts a big burden on the coaching staff to reign in its players to ensure maximum potential. There is a lot of benefit in drafting this way, and also a lot of risk.

If the Jets can take advantage of what they accomplished, the team’s young core could develop into a threat on both sides of the ball.

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Top 12 fantasy football rookies

Which rookies are most likely to offer fantasy value for 2020?

The 2021 NFL draft had plenty of hype with a rich set of quarterbacks and wide receivers. That held with five quarterbacks drafted over the first 15 picks and five wide receivers selected in the first round, including three over the first ten picks. Where the draft disappointed was with running backs. That was a function of the devaluing of the position by NFL offenses and a lack of confidence that the incoming rookies could provide more than a role in a committee backfield or as roster depth.

For dynasty purposes, this draft should deliver several long-term elite players and even a few running backs could emerge, if only eventually. For redraft leagues, this class has potential but less than most years. The best wideouts mostly went to average passing teams. The best running backs mostly ended up on teams that already have a primary back. Quarterbacks usually take a year or two before delivering fantasy-relevant stats but Trevor Lawrence may challenge that rule of thumb.

To follow are the Top-12 fantasy football rookies as of the day after the draft considering their outlook for 2021. Certainly, much will change in the coming months. James Robinson was an undrafted nobody one year ago.

Clyde-Edwards Helaire and D’Andre Swift were the top backs drafted last year, and neither delivered on their promise. Jonathan Taylor joined a crowded backfield, but one Marlon Mack injury later and Taylor produced a hot start to his career. Justin Jefferson was the fifth wideout selected and yet dominated the position. You just never know and that’s part of the fun.

1. RB Najee Harris – Alabama (PIT 1.24), 6’2″, 230 lbs., 4.45

The top fantasy rookie has to be Najee Harris out of the Alabama Machine. He was the rare four-year running back that started the last two with stellar results. He would have been highly drafted in 2020 but returned to post 1,486 rushing yards, 43 catches for 425 yards and a total of 30 touchdowns during the Crimson Tide’s latest National Championship run.

Harris has every opportunity to become the next Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh. He offers a well-rounded set of talents and never has to come off the field. More importantly, he has minimal competition for touches with only Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland below him. Harris is the only rookie back that is a slam dunk for a fulltime role.

2. WR Ja’Marr Chase – LSU (CIN 1.05), 6’0″, 208 lbs., 4.38

Ja’Marr Chase elected to sit out 2020 due to COVID concerns and as the first wideout selected, it certainly didn’t harm his perceived value. While he only started for one season at LSU, he blew up for 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns while the Tigers won the National Championship. All he did in that game was catch nine passes for 221 yards and two scores versus Clemson.

Oh yes, and his quarterback that season was Joe Burrow. The same one that becomes his quarterback in the NFL and who lobbied for the Bengals to select him over a much-needed upgrade to the offensive line. If you liked Chase’s ex-teammate, Justin Jefferson, last year, realize that Chase had a bigger 2019 than Jefferson and gets to continue to play with Burrow.

3. TE Kyle Pitts – Florida (ATL 1.04), 6’6″, 240 lbs., 4.44

Kyle Pitts fantasy value is already considered elite, and he has yet to catch an NFL pass. The ex-Gator just became the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. A three-year player, his junior season saw him catch 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, and that was only playing in eight games because of a facial injury and a concussion. To term him a “physical freak” may be an understatement. Pitts is a towering 6-6 and 240 pounds and yet runs a 4.45 40-time. That’s faster than most running backs.

Pitts joins the Falcons in the first year of HC Arthur Smith, and while he possesses all the attributes of an elite wideout, he will remain a tight end. Matt Ryan promises a powerful passing attack, and Pitts will have to share with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. But Jones is no lock to remain with the team and should he leave, Pitts could step up into significant fantasy play even as a rookie. He enters the NFL with arguably a higher upside than any other tight end in history and in the thinnest position in fantasy football. He shows up as the No. 1 pick in some fantasy football dynasty drafts.

4. RB Michael Carter – NC (NYJ 4.02), 5’8″, 199 lbs., 4.5

The “other back” at North Carolina wasn’t drafted until four others were  selected, but he has a lower bar to playing time than the rest. The four-year Tarheel finished with 1,512 total yards and eleven scores as a senior sharing the backfield with Javonte Williams. He’s a bit undersized but averaged 8.0 yards per carry last season. He may not have the physical specs of a prototypical NFL back, but he brings great rushing skills in vision and agility.

Carter was expected to go to a team looking for a dangerous third-down back that can offer as much as a receiver as a rusher. He has that. But he also joins a Jets team in the middle of yet another rebuilding. The depth chart only holds Tevin Coleman, La’Mical Perine and Josh Adams. Carter will be part of a Jets committee, but he already looks like the best of the bunch.

5. WR DeVonta Smith – Alabama (PHI 1.1), 6’0″, 166 lbs., 4.37

The upside with Smith is immense. All he did was win the Heisman as a wide receiver for the first time in about three decades. He set all-time receiving records at Alabama. And just won the National Championship where he was the MVP while posting 12 catches for 215 yards in the first half before injuring his finger (it’s fine). I mean, come on – what more could you want?

Ends up, a bigger frame would be nice since he was finally measured away from the Alabama PR department, and he was 6-0 and just 166 pounds. That’s lighter than any other elite NFL wideout in history, and on a lanky frame. But he reunites with Jalen Hurts who he played with for two seasons (2017-2018), and the Eagles are also in a rebuild with a shakeup to the depth charts. He has minimal competition to become the No. 1 wideout and should end up as the primary as early as Week 1. He has a golden chance to serve up a cup of shut-up juice to his critics yet again.

6. RB Javonte Williams – NC (DEN 2.03), 5’10″, 220 lbs., 4.58

Javonte Williams was the top running back on many draft boards and the Tarheel comes to the NFL as the prototypical back in every measurement. The junior comes off a season with 1,445 total yards while catching 25 passes and rushing for 7.3 yards per carry. Better yet, he’s smart and powerful with a violent style of running that translates very well into the NFL.

What goes against him are two factors. One – he is not the fastest back but his game is more running over than running away. Two – he lands on a Denver team that already has former first-round pick Melvin Gordon as their primary back. Gordon is in the final year of his contract, so 2022 may very well see Williams as the clear workhorse. And Gordon tends to get dinged up anyway, so this season still holds promise. But Williams has to get past Gordon in order to realize his full potential.

7. WR Jaylen Waddle – Alabama (MIA 1.06), 5’10″, 182 lbs., 4.37

Several teams thought Jaylen Waddle was the best wide receiver in the draft, and he could prove to be as much. He was limited as part of a highly-talented Crimson Tide depth chart but excelled when given the chance. His 2020 season was cut short with a broken ankle but he averaged 21.1 yards on his 28 catches to that point. Waddle is blazingly fast with a sub-4.4 40-time and over half of his touchdowns for Alabama were over 50 yards in length.

He reunites with Tua Tagovailoa that should lessen the learning curve and he’s  compared to Tyreek Hill who is almost the same size and speed. There’s a new install of an offense for the team to learn and Devante Parker and Will Fuller will also heavily figure into the game plan. But it is only a question of time before Waddle assumes the No. wideout role for the Fins.

8. RB Travis Etienne – Clemson (JAC 1.25), 5’10″, 205 lbs., 4.45

Most analysts were divided as to who was the top rookie running back – Travis Etienne or Najee Harris. The Clemson star was the all-time rushing leader in the ACC after four years with the Tigers. Twice he topped 1,600 rushing yards in a season and then caught 48 passes for 588 yards last season to show that he was just as effective as a receiver.  He’s a three-down back that is a game-breaker whenever he has the ball. Squint your eyes when you watch him on tape, and he’s Alvin Kamara shredding defenses in all kinds of ways.

When the Jaguars drafted him, there were groans from both Etienne fans and  James Robinson dynasty owners. This is an odd pairing of the best undrafted running back in NFL history with an elite back toting a suitcase full of every imaginable accolade for a college back. Robinson dominated the backfield with 240 rushes and 49 receptions in 2020. Now there’s a committee brewing in the new offense by HC Urban Meyer and OC Darrell Bevell. It smacks of D’Andre Smith in Detroit last year though Etienne is better. The potential is there for elite fantasy numbers. At least eventually.

9. WR Kadarius Toney – Florida (NYG 1.20), 6’0″, 193 lbs., 4.39

Kadarius Toney was a quarterback in high school and even played as a running back for one season for the Gators. His career stats showed marginal use until his senior year when he focused solely on being the No. 1 wideout for Florida. He caught 70 passes for 984 yards and ten scores while adding 19 rushes for 161 yards and another touchdown. He was also a returner for special teams.  Toney is only starting to tap into how good he can be and his electric ability with the ball gained him the name of “human joystick”.

He was drafted by a Giants team that revamped their receivers with the addition of Kenny Golladay as the clear No. 1 wideout. Sterling Shepard will also remain on the outside but Toney could fill a slot role that has the potential for fantasy relevance even as a rookie. If OC Jason Garrett gets inventive, Toney offers the ability to catch, run or even pass on the rare trick play. And play returner.

10. WR Rashod Bateman – Minnesota (BAL 1.27), 6’0″, 190 lbs., 4.39

The Golden Gophers relied on Rashod Bateman since he was a freshman and he broke out as a sophomore with 1,239 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. He turned in a hefty 20.3 yards per catch that year and was looking forward to his junior season. The team originally planned to play in the spring due to COVID-19 but then opted to play in the fall. The season was still cut short after five games with positive test results so Bateman’s fine 2019 performance remains his measurement.

He’s a disciplined route runner that can make highlight clips. The Ravens spent their first-round pick on Bateman trying to upgrade what was the least productive set of wideouts in the NFL last year. Dead last in targets, catches and receiving yards as a group despite spending their first-round pick on Marquise Brown in 2019 as the first receiver selected that year. The Ravens also brought in Sammy Watkins so Bateman’s rookie year is likely to be less productive than desired, but he carries the potential that merits drafting for a fantasy bench.

11. RB Rhamondre Stevenson – Oklahoma (NE 4.15), 6’0″, 246 lbs., 4.64

The ex-Sooner never rushed for more than 665 yards on 101 carries in his two seasons as a starter, but he ran for 2,111 yards at Cerritos College before transferring. Stevenson is a throwback to the bruising days of the past and presents a big load to handle for defenders at 246 pounds. His downfall is his speed (4.64 40-time) and a lack of receiving experience.

Landing with the Patriots makes sense given their penchant for a backfield committee that divides up the different roles. Stevenson should figure into the rotation and there is a chance that either Damien Harris or Sony Michel doesn’t stay on the roster all summer. Stevenson joins that always confusing backfield but he has the opportunity to earn more work on a team that looks to run the ball more often.

12. QB Trevor Lawrence – Clemson (JAC 1.01), 6’6″, 220 lbs., 4.7

The man born to play quarterback finally made his ascension to destiny. Trevor Lawrence was one of the highest-rated quarterback prospects in years and checks every desirable box for the position both physically and mentally. He carries the “generational talent” tag and lands with a rebuilding Jaguars franchise headed up by HC Urban Meyers.

It is exceedingly rare for any rookie quarterback to merit a fantasy start since that says they are in the Top-10 for the position in their first year. And the reality is that the Jaguars have a new scheme to install with new players. Chances are that Lawrence won’t produce enough to consider as a fantasy start. But – his level of talent suggests he might be the first backup fantasy quarterback taken in most leagues.

Jets RB Michael Carter a willing blocker: ‘I’m not scared of anybody’

New Jets running back Michael Carter thinks blocking is a “strength” of his game and is “more than willing” to do it.

New Jets running back Michael Carter is not afraid to get down and dirty to make a block.

Carter was taken in the fourth round out of North Carolina by the Jets in the 2021 NFL draft. He’s only 5-foot-9 and 200 pounds and is known more for his explosiveness as a ball carrier, but he does have the ability to block. When asked about it, Carter said blocking is a “strength” of his game.

“I’m more than willing to put my nose in there and block,” Carter said, per SNY. “I’m not scared of anybody.”

That’s the kind of toughness the Jets are looking for at the running back position. Not every running back is willing to put their body in front of a big defender to make a block. Some are strictly ball carriers, so Carter is bringing a well-rounded skillset to New York. 

Carter’s main job, though, will be running with the football, and he did a great job of that at UNC. The Tar Heels used a running back by committee in 2020, and Carter was the No. 2 back behind Broncos draftee Javonte Williams. Carter still ran for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns.

For Carter’s entire college career, he totaled 3,404 rushing yards, 22 touchdowns, 656 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also added 650 kickoff return yards.

Carter will once again join a running back committee with the Jets. They have five running backs on the roster now, including La’Mical Perine, Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman, Josh Adams and Carter. The Jets probably won’t go into the 2021 season with all five on the 53-man roster, though.

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Double Trouble? Michael Carter, Michael Carter II teaming up with Jets

Two players with the same name are taking their talents to One Jets Drive with the 2021 NFL draft in the books.

There are now two Michael Carters residing at One Jets Drive.

New York landed two players with the same name on the third and final day of the 2021 NFL draft. First the Jets selected North Carolina running back Michael Carter with the 107th pick. Then they made Duke cornerback Michael Carter II the 154th pick.

The two Carters went from college rivals to NFL teammates in a matter of minutes and were quick to laugh about their quirky draft connection.

New York’s selection of Carter II after Carter sparked widespread confusion on social media, as two players of the same name in the same draft class being picked by the same team is essentially unheard of. ESPN mixed the two up long before Carter II was picked by the Jets, though. They showed Duke highlights when New York selected the UNC running back with the second pick of the fourth round.

“We were like, ‘Whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Check the notes and make sure we got the right pick,'” Robert Saleh said of the gaffe, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “Lucky for us, Michael II ended up falling to us.”

While they carry the same name, Carter and Carter II bring vastly different skill sets with them to the Big Apple. Carter specializes in making game-breaking plays out of the backfield, while Carter II thrives in thwarting them from his nickel cornerback position.

Carter got the best of Carter II when North Carolina met Duke last season, though, as Carter trucked through Carter II for a touchdown in what can be deemed a Carter on Carter crime.

Regardless of who won the battle of the Carters in college, the Jets are hoping both players can make an impact as soon as next season. With both Carter and Carter II possessing dynamic ability, there is no reason why that can’t come to fruition.

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The Jets picked 2 players named Michael Carter in the NFL Draft, and football Twitter had jokes

The Jets are on a mission to draft all the Michael Carters this year.

If your name is Michael Carter, the New York Jets probably want to draft you, because Saturday during the later rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, they picked up two ACC players who both happened to be named Michael Carter.

In the fourth round of the draft on Saturday, the Jets selected North Carolina running back Michael Carter with the 107th overall pick. And not long after that, with the 154th overall pick in the fifth round, they took Michael Carter II, a cornerback out of Duke.

The Tarheels’ Michael Carter was the team’s leading rusher last season with 1,245 yards, nine touchdowns and an average of 8.0 yards per carry. He had the fourth-most rushing yards in the country and was in a three-way tie for the fourth-best average per carry.

The Blue Devils’ Michael Carter II was one of two Duke players this year with two interceptions on the season, and he was credited with 41 total tackles, 26 of which were solo.

Once ACC Coastal rivals, the two Michael Carters are now teammates.

And, of course, football Twitter had plenty of (and some of the exact same, super obvious) jokes and funny reactions to the Jets drafting two Michael Carters.

 

Rookie Rundown: RB Michael Carter, North Carolina

Carter ready to take a situational role in the NFL.

Here’s the other half of the 1-2 punch of the Tarheel’s backfield for the last two seasons. Combined with Javonte Williams, Michael Carter rushed for over 1,000 yards in both 2019 and 2020. And both are expected to be drafted in the first three rounds.

As a senior at Navarre High School in Florida, Carter totaled 3,345 all-purpose yards and 45 total touchdowns as the USA Today Florida Offensive Player of the Year.

Carter was the No. 2 back for his first two seasons at North Carolina and then paired with Williams for a dominating backfield as a junior and senior. He was the No. 1 back in 2019 and then almost perfectly split the workload with Williams in 2020.

The final game of last season was against Miami. The duo combined for 544 rushing yards to set the all-time NCAA record for two running backs in a single game. Carter contributed 308 yards on 24 carries in that matchup for his ninth career game with over 100 yards. Despite the split backfield, Carter still turned in at least 16 carries in over half his games last year.

Height: 5-8
Weight: 190 pounds
40 time: 4.50 seconds

Carter opted out of the 2021 Orange Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. While his teammate Williams is expected to be a first- or second-round pick, Carter is more likely to be a second- or third-round selection. He’s smaller at only 5-8, 190 pounds, while Williams is 5-10, 220 pounds. That makes a more significant difference in the NFL.

Running Back Michael Carter, North Carolina Stats (2017-2020)

Year Games Runs Yards Avg. TD Catch Yards. TD Total Yards Total TDs
2017 11 97 559 5.8 8 11 100 1 659 9
2018 9 84 597 7.1 2 25 135 1 732 3
2019 13 177 1003 5.7 3 21 154 2 1157 5
2020 11 156 1245 8.0 9 25 267 2 1512 11

Pros

  • Versatile rusher, receiver and blocker
  • Quick, creative rusher
  • Excellent vision
  • Smaller size helps get lost to second-level defenders
  • Solid route runner
  • Mismatch for linebackers to cover
  • Elusive in space
  • Plays tough despite size, physical when needed
  • Can return kicks and punts
  • Patient runner

Cons

  • Lack of size limits inside effectiveness
  • Projects as a situational or rotational back in the NFL
  • Quicker than fast, lacks upper gear
  • Benefitted from a great offensive line

Fantasy outlook

Carter is expected to join a committee backfield where he can become a part of the rotation – as he did in college. He finished with 82 receptions at North Carolina and should find at least a niche as a third-down back in the NFL. He was very productive with the ball in college, but at least part of that success came due to the quality of his blocking in a dominating Tarheel’s rush attack that created two “full-time” backs.

Dropping back to the second round, or more likely the third, he’ll be available to all teams looking to add to their backfield. Carter may not become a workhorse, but he can offer a valuable situational role. That fits with the style of offense that is popular in the current NFL.

The further he falls in the draft, the less likely he is a fantasy factor as a rookie. But if he is taken in the first three rounds by a team with an incomplete backfield, he’ll merit stashing on fantasy rosters.

He’ll most likely be a consideration for the Cardinals, Falcons, Broncos, Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, and Steelers.

Javonte Williams, Michael Carter scouted by Cardinals at pro day

The Arizona Cardinals sent running backs coach James Saxon to check out North Carolina’s Javonte Williams and Michael Carter at their pro day.

The Arizona Cardinals could select a running back in next month’s NFL draft. There are a pair of talented prospects who played for North Carolina and they held their pro day. The Cardinals were in attendance but were clearly there for two players in particular — running backs Javonte Williams and Michael Carter.

How do we know?

That would be because, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, running backs coach James Saxon was in attendance.

Williams is a prospect largely seen as a guy who will be drafted in the second round but could land in the first round. Some make the case that he should be RB1 in this draft class.

Williams rushed for 1,140 yards on 7.3 yards per attempt and 19 touchdowns. he added 25 receptions for 305 yards and three more scores.

Carter, who was a senior in 2020, actually led the Tar Heels in rushing with 1,245 yards on 8.0 yards per rush. He scored nine touchdowns on the ground, adding 25 catches for 267 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cardinals have not yet addressed the running back room this offseason, leaving Chase Edmonds as the only back with NFL rushing attempts. As things stand, they are sure to draft a running back at some point.

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2021 NFL Draft: Why Javonte Williams should be your RB1 in this draft class

While there are several great running backs in the 2021 class, the underrated Javonte Williams from North Carolina might just be the best.

Certain running backs don’t just know how to gain yards after contact; they’re actually emboldened in their playing style by the first attempted tackle. Walter Payton would go out of his way to initiate first contact with defenders — to beat the opponent to the punch. Jim Brown made those tackling attempts look comical more often than enemy defenses would prefer. Marshawn Lynch appeared to gain speed and power with every attempted stop.

It’s a valuable skill, and in the 2021 draft class, North Carolina’s Javonte Williams is unquestionably the most gifted in this area. In the 2020 season, Williams gained 1,140 yards and scored 19 touchdowns on just 157 carries as part of a loaded backfield that also included Michael Carter and his 156 carries for 1,245 yards and nine touchdowns. But Williams was the king of the splash play in that offense, and his ability to work his way out of contact was the primary reason.

Per Pro Football Focus, Williams forced 85 missed tackles in 2020 — 76 as a runner (the highest total in the country), and nine more as a receiver. And of all NCAA running backs in 2020, only Michael Carter — Williams’ backfield partner — had more rushing attempts of 15 or more yards than Williams’ 27 for 660 yards. There are other great backs in this class without question, but there may not be one who has combined Williams’ power, contact balance, and second-level explosiveness. And that makes him a highly attractive prospect. Mix in his development as a receiver (25 catches for 305 yards and three touchdowns), and you have an every-down back who seems poised to embarrass NFL defenses as he did to his collegiate rivals.

Perhaps the only universal concern expressed about Williams is that he “disappeared” in the Tar Heels’ game against Notre Dame on November 27, gaining just 28 yards on 11 carries. It’s a valid concern in the abstract, but the tape shows that the Fighting Irish were out for Williams whenever it looked as if he was going to get the ball — Notre Dame had a defense that allowed just 2.6 yards after contact per carry and just 30 broken tackles on the season, and set run blitzes in which the extra defenders were on Williams very quickly against an overmatched offensive line. When Notre Dame’s defense backed off, and Williams had any free space to run, he was still able to create positive plays.

North Carolina’s offensive line is a related matter to consider. Pro Football Focus graded that line 80th in the nation in run-blocking, and there are more than enough examples on tape in which Williams either creates on his own, or he gets very little.

Williams’ next marquee game — and his last as a college player — came on December 12, when North Carolina faced Miami. The Hurricanes did not come into that game with a great run defense, and both Carter and Williams exploited that for all it was worth. Carter gained 308 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns on 24 carries, and Williams gained 236 yards and scored three rushing touchdowns on 23 carries. Williams was able to go off in all possible ways.

 

As for his blocking? You could say that Williams gets fired up to lay the wood.

Williams will invariably be compared to Alabama’s Najee Harris, the other top-flight power back in this class. Harris also brings great short-area elusiveness to his game, and he may be a bit more well-rounded in the passing game, but he doesn’t present the same kind of home-run threat with deep speed — he’s more of a sustainer than that. Harris had 18 carries of 15 yards or more on 252 carries last season.

Where Harris reigned supreme was as an overall tackle-breaker — he forced 71 tackles as a runner and 22 tackles as a receiver. No other back in the nation came anywhere near Harris’ total in the passing game; Hawaii’s Calvin Turner and Toledo’s Bryant Koback tied for second with 13. But Harris also had far more open gaps to run through behind Alabama’s offensive line than Williams or Carter did behind their front five. PFF ranked Alabama 15th in run-blocking grade to North Carolina’s 80th.

That’s not to denigrate Harris, or any other back in this class. But when you merge the stats and the tape, you might just come away with the conclusion that there’s no running back in the 2021 draft class with more explosive potential than Javonte Williams.

2021 All-Senior Bowl team

Who were the best prospects at each position in this year’s Senior Bowl?

Every year, the Senior Bowl provides prospects with an opportunity to test their mettle against some of the top competition in college football, hoping to impress NFL decision-makers heading into the draft.

Here are my picks for the best players I saw at every position throughout this year’s event in Mobile: