The 2021 season for the New York Jets has been a feeling of highs and lows. We have seen glimpses of a potentially bright future for the youngest team in the NFL with an average age of 25.1 years old. Needless to say, most of the 2021 draft class has had an immense amount of experience in their first season. By the second half of the season, the Jets started to find their identity on both offense and defense. It's the beauty in the struggle that you must see. 

Running back Michael Carter is a diamond in the rough from the 2021 draft class and stepped up in a big way this season, helping the entire offense grow tremendously. In only 14 games played this season, the 4th round draft pick managed to run for 639 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns, and 325 receiving yards. It's safe to say when the rookie was on the field his presence was known and he created an immediate impact for the offense. His best game this season was against the Cincinnati Bengals in week 8 where Carter had 172 all-purpose yards on the day. Carter had 15 rushing attempts for 77 yards and a touchdown, including 9 receptions for 95 yards through the air.

The 4th round pick was given a large role this season and has given fans confidence in finding a potential new running back for this organization. Through the rookie's outstanding play, it did shed light on the need for a power running back in the offense for goal-line situations. This is a role the jets should pursue in the off-season, but nothing of major concern as this can be done in free agency. The rookie coaching staff will be looking to build off the strong performances they had towards the end of the year and leading into the 2022 season.

In an end-of-the-season interview with Michael Carter and Randy Lange (NYJets.com) of the Jets. The young star talked about his progression through the beginning of the season. How much his confidence boosted over time and what he opened up about during the interview. “We played Carolina and I’m not going to lie. I was like, man is it going to be like this every week? I think it was after we played New England the first time, I was kind of like, OK, I can do something with this.” That Patriots game Carter had 11 carries for 59 yards and 2 receptions for 29 yards.

Needless to say, this was his “welcome to the NFL” moment and a good confidence booster that any rookie needs. Since then the rookie has taken the leading role as the running back besides being sidelined with injuries. When healthy, Carter is a difference-maker for the Jets offense, as the running back led the team with 46 total first downs. The help of veteran running back Tevin Coleman has played a great mentorship role in the early stages of this young playmaker's career. Michael Carter has made a splash in his first season in the NFL and when healthy is a force to be reckoned with.