June 10, 2022

New York Jets running back Michael Carter flashed his potential on numerous occasions during his rookie campaign last year. After being drafted in the second round, Carter worked hard in training camp to secure a role in the offense. Despite a quiet Week 1, he saw increased usage in Week 2 and did not look back. In fact, from Weeks 4 to 10, Carter ranked as the RB13 in half-PPR leagues. However, he suffered an injury in Week 11, missed the next three games, and never quite returned to his peak due to the poor state of the Jets' offense. It seemed like he was trending up heading into 2022, but then the Jets made Breece Hall the first running back off the board in this year's draft. The Iowa State product should usurp Carter on the depth chart eventually, and it could even happen by Week 1. If it does, Carter would find himself as one of the top backup options in the league. Not only would he have the handcuff potential of Tony Pollard and Alexander Mattison, but he'd also boast the weekly receiving upside of J.D. McKissic and James White. Thus, even if he's backing up Hall, Carter can be a mid-range RB3 in fantasy leagues, especially those that reward individuals for production in the passing game. Carter currently ranks as RotoBaller's RB24 heading into fantasy drafts, and his ADP of 82 puts him in the mid-RB3 tier. This is exactly the range where you should be drafting him this summer.--Andersen Pickard