Michael Carter II Bio
Michael Carter II (born March 8, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Duke Blue Devils and was selected by the New York Jets in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Carter has built his reputation as a reliable slot cornerback and was later transitioned to safety during his career. He signed a lucrative contract extension with the Jets in 2024 before being traded to the Eagles in October 2025.
Early Life and Background
Michael Carter II was born on March 8, 1999, in Douglasville, Georgia, USA. He attended South Paulding High School in Douglasville, where he developed his skills as a defensive back. Carter was ranked as a three-star recruit by 247Sports.com coming out of high school. His performance in high school attracted attention from multiple college programs seeking his services.
On July 4, 2016, Carter made his college commitment and chose to continue his football career at Duke University. He played for the Duke Blue Devils from 2017 through 2020, developing into a prospective NFL talent during his four seasons in the ACC.
Path to the NFL
During his time at Duke, Carter honed his craft as a cornerback and gained valuable experience against high-level competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Bleacher Report ranked him as the 34th best cornerback prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class. NFL draft analysts projected him to be selected anywhere from the fifth to the seventh round. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein projected Carter as a fifth-round pick, and those projections proved accurate when draft day arrived.
Before the draft, Carter demonstrated the versatility and character traits that NFL teams value. One scouting report highlighted his ability to contribute on special teams and noted him as someone who could at minimum earn a practice squad spot and work his way onto an NFL roster.
Michael Carter II Career
New York Jets (2021–2025)
The New York Jets selected Michael Carter II in the fifth round (154th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. The pick came as part of a trade the Jets made that sent Leonard Williams to the New York Giants. Interestingly, the Jets drafted another player named Michael Carter from the University of North Carolina in the fourth round of the same draft, creating a notable coincidence on draft day.
On May 7, 2021, the Jets signed Carter to a four-year contract worth $3.80 million that included a signing bonus of $328,927. Throughout training camp, he competed against Bryce Hall, Blessuan Austin, Javelin Guidry, Jason Pinnock, Isaiah Dunn, and Brandin Echols for a starting cornerback position. Head coach Robert Saleh ultimately named Carter as the third cornerback and starting nickelback entering the regular season.
On September 12, 2021, Carter made his professional regular season debut in the Jets’ season-opener against the Carolina Panthers. He recorded five combined tackles (two solo) during the 14–19 loss. In Week 3, he earned his first career start at nickelback and recorded six combined tackles (two solo) during a 26–0 loss to the Denver Broncos.
On December 5, 2021, Carter exited a game against the Philadelphia Eagles after recording two combined tackles (one solo) in the third quarter. He was evaluated for a possible concussion and entered concussion protocol, remaining inactive for the following game against the New Orleans Saints. Later that month, he was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list before returning to action. On January 2, 2022, he recorded a season-high eight combined tackles (six solo) and recorded his first career sack on Tom Brady for a five-yard loss during a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carter finished his rookie season with 72 combined tackles (45 solo), five pass deflections, two fumble recoveries, and one sack in 15 games and seven starts.
In 2022, Carter returned as the starting nickelback with D. J. Reed and rookie Sauce Gardner anchoring the outside corner positions. On October 2, 2022, he recorded five solo tackles, one pass deflection, and his first career interception off Kenny Pickett to help secure a 24–20 victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He intercepted another pass from Mac Jones during a Week 8 game against the New England Patriots. Carter finished the 2022 season with 63 combined tackles (50 solo), nine pass deflections, and two interceptions in 17 games and six starts, earning an overall grade of 73.5 from Pro Football Focus that ranked 19th among 118 qualifying cornerbacks.
In 2023, Carter served as the third cornerback and first-team nickelback behind Sauce Gardner and D. J. Reed. He was inactive for two games in Weeks 11 and 12 due to a hamstring injury. Carter finished the season with 50 combined tackles (37 solo) and nine pass deflections in 15 games and seven starts. He earned an overall grade of 80.4 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 12th among qualifying cornerbacks, representing a significant improvement in his performance.
On September 3, 2024, the Jets signed Carter to a three-year contract extension worth $30.75 million that included $13.61 million guaranteed and a $6 million signing bonus. This contract made him the highest-paid slot corner in the NFL at the time. He continued as the Jets’ starting nickelback under head coach Robert Saleh. On October 8, 2024, the Jets announced they had fired head coach Robert Saleh after the team started the season 2–3, appointing defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich as interim head coach. Carter missed two games (Weeks 6–7) with a back injury before returning in Week 8. He re-aggravated the back injury and missed the final two games of the season. He finished 2024 with 24 combined tackles (20 solo), one pass deflection, and one fumble recovery in 13 games and one start.
Philadelphia Eagles (2025–Present)
On October 29, 2025, Carter was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round pick. The Eagles also received a 2027 seventh-round pick in the deal. This move marked a new chapter in Carter’s NFL career as he joined the Eagles organization.
During the 2026 offseason, following the departure of starting safety Reed Blankenship in free agency, reports indicated that the Eagles were likely to move Carter to the safety position. This transition would utilize his experience and versatility in the defensive backfield as the Eagles rebuilt their secondary.
Playing Style and Strengths
Michael Carter II has established himself as a reliable slot cornerback with the ability to play multiple positions in the defensive backfield. His versatility has been a defining characteristic throughout his career, allowing him to contribute both in the nickel package and at safety. Carter has demonstrated solid tackling ability and ball skills, recording two interceptions and one sack through his first four NFL seasons. His coverage ability has been praised, with his Pro Football Focus grades indicating he can be an effective starter when healthy. His durability became a concern in 2024 when back injuries limited his availability late in the season.
Michael Carter II Career Statistics
Michael Carter II has appeared in 60 games across four NFL seasons with the New York Jets, recording 233 career tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3 fumble recoveries, and 26 pass deflections. His most productive season came in 2022 when he recorded 63 tackles and two interceptions while earning a 73.5 grade from Pro Football Focus.
New York Jets Statistics
Carter showed consistency and growth during his time with the Jets. He recorded 72 tackles and 1 sack as a rookie in 2021 while appearing in 15 games with seven starts. His sophomore season in 2022 saw him play a full 17 games with six starts, recording 63 tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass deflections. In 2023, he logged 50 tackles and nine pass deflections in 15 games. His 2024 season was limited to 13 games with just one start due to injuries, recording 24 tackles.
Michael Carter II Family
Specific details about Michael Carter II’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any racing lineage, are not extensively documented in available public sources. The focus of his public profile remains primarily on his athletic career and professional achievements in the NFL.
In terms of his personal life, Carter maintains a presence on social media, with an Instagram account under the handle mikecarter_22. He continues to reside in the United States and remains active in his professional football career. Further details about his personal relationships, marital status, or children are not publicly available or have not been widely reported.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for Michael Carter II as he joined the Philadelphia Eagles following the mid-season trade in late October 2025. After spending four seasons with the New York Jets organization, Carter found himself in a new defensive system and locker room. The trade value included John Metchie III and draft compensation, indicating the Eagles saw value in Carter’s versatility and experience as a professional cornerback.
During the 2026 offseason, the Eagles faced a vacancy at safety following Reed Blankenship’s departure in free agency. Reports suggested the team planned to transition Carter to the safety position, a move that would leverage his coverage skills and familiarity with the defense. This position change represents both a challenge and an opportunity for Carter to expand his defensive capabilities in the NFL.
Looking ahead, Carter appears poised to play a significant role in the Eagles’ secondary plans. His status as a former fifth-round draft pick who developed into a high-paid slot corner demonstrates his ability to overcome expectations and contribute at the NFL level. The Eagles will look to utilize his experience and versatility as they rebuild their defensive backfield for the upcoming seasons.