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USATSI

Michael Carter was that shifty and explosive change of pace back you remember watching when UNC was on a Saturday and he has already displayed a lot of his trademark explosiveness as the talk of New York Jets OTAs. Carter has even seen some first team reps in the early parts of training camp. This has the feel of a hype train situation brewing given the lack of competition on New York's depth chart at running back and Carter's performance so far.

Below, we'll break down Carter's outlook, changes in his ADP, where he's going in mock drafts, training camp/preseason updates (when the time comes) and more.

2021 Outlook

The Jets selected running back Michael Carter in the fourth round of the NFL Draft from North Carolina, and he has the chance to be their starter this season. He should be considered a sleeper on Draft Day in all leagues, and he's worth drafting as early as Round 6, with his value slightly higher in PPR. While Carter doesn't profile as a lead running back at 5-foot-8, 201 pounds, he could have that role given the depth chart in New York, which features Tevin Coleman and Lamical Perine as the other top options. 

Carter could easily play over both and lead the Jets running backs in carries at catches. In college, Carter shared touches with Javonte Williams, but Carter still managed to rush 333 times for 2,248 yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two seasons, along with 46 catches for 421 yards and four touchdowns. If he ends up as the top guy for the Jets for the majority of the year, Carter could have the chance to be a weekly starter in all Fantasy leagues. (Jamey Eisenberg)

If you're looking to deep diver into Williams' value in Dynasty and keeper leagues, SportsLine's Jacob Gibbs has you covered here.

Changes in ADP

*All ADP data is courtesy of FantasyFootballCalculator.com and for half-point PPR scoring.

Michael Carter Average Draft Position

ADP from Fantasy Football Calculator

Carter is one of the bigger risers so far after a hyped-up OTAs. Can he carry that over into camp and the preseason?

CBS Mock Draft position

8/18 half-PPR 12-team: Round 5, No. 58 overall
8/12 half-PPR 10-team: Round 6, No. 60 overall
8/6 PPR Superflex mock: Round 7, No. 76 overall
8/3 non-PPR mock: Round 6, No. 70 overall
7/28 full-point PPR mock: Round 6, No. 68 overall
7/20 half-PPR mock: Round 7, No. 81 overall
7/7 Superflex mock: Round 7, No. 73 overall
6/16 full-PPR mock: Round 7, No. 77 overall
6/9 Superflex mock: Round 8, No. 91 overall

Training camp/Preseason updates

8/23: Chris Towers recently named Carter a Preseason Week 2 'loser' based on his lack of first-team usage: "This is the most attention the Jets have had devoted to them in a Fantasy article in years. Carter is the promising young prospect in a backfield full of boring veterans, but the Jets aren't just going to hand him a significant role. He's earned praise for his play in practice, but it hasn't led to a significant role in the first two preseason games, especially with the first-team offense. Wilson played 19 snaps in Week 2 and Carter wasn't out there for any of them, according to PFF. Tevin Coleman and Ty Johnson split the first-team work, with Coleman getting 10 snaps, but it didn't seem like a committee usage -- both got two third-down snaps with that first-team offense. My expectation is still that Carter will eventually work his way into at least a split with Coleman, but it looks less likely to be the case by Week 1 at this pace. Carter is still the back to target for the Jets, especially because there's been a lot of talk about his playmaking in the passing game, but you can't view him as a Week 1 starting option right now. Coleman, meanwhile, definitely belongs in the mid-round low-end RB discussion."