NFL Draft results 2021: Michael Carter selected by the New York Jets in the fourth round

North Carolina running back Michael Carter has been drafted by the New York Jets with the 107th overall pick, in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. With this pick, Carter becomes the fourth Tar Heel selected in this year’s draft, joining Javonte Williams, Chazz Surratt, and Dyami Brown.

Carter had a monster junior campaign with the Tar Heels this past season, finishing with 156 carries for a team-high 1,245 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He also averaged 8.0 yards per carry, which was good enough to top fellow draftee Javonte Williams, who finished with 7.3 per carry. Carter didn’t just get things done in the run game, however, as he caught 25 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns, with his longest reception totaling 46 yards.

While Carter may have not been as heralded of a prospect as Javonte Williams was going into this draft, the Jets are getting a running back that was just as valuable to the Tar Heels’ journey to the Orange Bowl as anyone. While he’s a bit of a smaller back at 5’8, Carter is a quick running back that was excellent in 2020 at protecting the football. While Williams is more of a bruising running back, Carter got the job done with his vision and his ability to make timely cuts in the pocket. He will also be a valuable asset catching passes out of the backfield, but perhaps just as important is that he proved himself to be a quality blocker for Sam Howell over the last couple of seasons.

Congratulations to Michael Carter, and best of luck to the newest Tar Heel in the NFL!