Smartest Selections from Each Round of the 2021 NFL Draft

Round 4, Pick 107 – Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets

The Jets’ patience is rewarded as they draft North Carolina’s Michael Carter, adding their fourth consecutive offensive player in the first four rounds of the draft.

Anybody who watched 37-year-old, Frank Gore, take 187 carries last year knows that running back was a significant need for the Jets. Nevertheless, the Jets deserve credit for not opting with one of the “big three” running backs, Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, or Javonte Williams with their second first round pick (or in the case of Williams their second-round pick) and opting to select players at more valuable positions at those picks.

After selecting Michael Carter at pick 107, it would be an understatement to say that the Jets’ patience was rewarded, especially given the fact they had no third-round picks after trading up in the first round for Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Carter likely fell victim to being the second head in North Carolina’s two-pronged rushing attack. Javonte Williams was the more predominant of the two backs and he was selected in the draft earlier as well. Nevertheless, Carter is an excellent player in his own right. The Draft Network ranked Carter as their 67th overall player and 4th best running back in the draft—so the Jets grabbing him at 107 already represents immense value. Furthermore, even as the second weapon behind Williams, Carter put up 1,245 rushing yards, 11 total TDs and a superb 8.0 yards per carry in 2020.

Carter is not the biggest nor strongest back in the 2021 NFL draft class, but he has so many other excellent qualities that give him the potential to be a quality starter in the NFL. Carter is incredibly elusive. He seems to have the ability to make defenders miss at will with sharp and precise cuts. To top that off, he also has elite vision, decent contact balance and receiving ability. Carter’s combination of vision and elusiveness will make him a perfect fit for any wide zone rushing offense, something the Jets are planning on implementing.

The new Jets coaching staff brought in Mike LaFleur as offensive coordinator from the San Francisco 49ers. Presumably, there will be many similar concepts to the Kyle Shanahan offense. Therefore, there will likely be many outside running concepts, where the offensive linemen will make a lot of blocks on the move in a designated zone, rather than looking at gaps right in front of them. Carter’s ability to find open holes and make defenders miss, will suit himself perfectly for this offense.

This pick is such a great selection because it had the combination of great value, filling a need, and it was an excellent scheme fit.