Oct 15, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Michael Carter II (30) celebrates after the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
FLORHAM PARK — 2023 has been somewhat of a lost season for the New York Jets. Players like Michael Carter II though, haven’t been the reason.
Picked in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, Carter’s emergence as the top slot cornerback in football has been a meteoric rise for the Duke product. Through the current season, Pro Football Focus has graded out an elite 71.9. He leads the league in snaps per reception (16.5), first in snaps per target (9.1) and he’s allowed the fewest yards per snap (0.43).
All of the current accolades coming his way though have kept the mid-round corner grounded as he concludes his third NFL season.
“It just lets me know I’m just doing things the right way,” Carter told AMNY. “I still have a lot of room for improvement but it lets me know that my coaches are doing a good job in putting me in a good position.”
It’s hard to put into words just how good Carter has been. Compared to the rest of the elite secondary the Jets possess, having three of the highest-graded corners though is something no one in the NFL has. Whether it’s All-Pro Sauce Gardner, D.J. Reed, or Carter himself, each player is among the top players at their position.
That gives each player plenty of an edge to prepare for each game.
“We just feed off each other a lot,” Carter explained. “When one guy makes a play, we want to jump on that train and make a play on our own. Just seeing how each guy comes to work every day, you want to bring your best to the table for that guy. Ultimately, that brings the best out in all of us.”
Gardner and Reed are the biggest names on the outside and for good reason. The Jets elite secondary has had them ranked in the top-five against the…
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