The New York Jets moved on to their second selection of Round 5 in the 2021 NFL Draft, taking a familiar name: Michael Carter II, the speedy defensive back from Duke. This pick, No. 156 overall, is the final payment from the New York Giants to the Jets for the trade of DL Leonard Williams from the Green & White to Big Blue in October 2019.
And the pick comes just 47 rungs after the Jets drafted Michael Carter, the running back from North Carolina, with the second pick of Round 4.
Michael Carter II (5-10, 184) was a three-year starter for the Blue Devils, playing slot and outside cornerback and deep safety. Last season, as a team captain, he recorded 41 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 10 pass defenses and two interceptions and was named third-team All-ACC.
For his career Carter played in 46 games (36 starts) and notched 135 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 28 PDs and four interceptions.
He also implemented his 4.32 speed (unofficially the same speed notched by second-round pick Elijah Moore at his pro day) in playing on special teams all four of his Duke seasons.
Off the field, Carter showed his chops in the classroom. He was an Academic All-ACC selection in 2018, '19 and '20. And this year he was a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, an honor presented by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame that recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and leadership. Additionally, he was a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award.
Carter's father, Michael, played collegiate baseball at the University of New Orleans in the early Nineties.
Carter is the sixth Duke player drafted by the Jets all-time. The only Blue Devils draftee who ever played for the Jets was the first one, QB Al Woodall, who was taken in the second round, 52nd overall, in the 1969 draft, backed up and filled in for Joe Namath with 31 games played (19 starts).
