Eagles Acquire Jets' Carter II, Adding Depth to Defenses as a Potential Slot Solution.
In a move aimed at bolstering their defense, the Eagles have acquired Jets defensive back Michael Carter II, nicknamed "MC2." The trade, which was made on Wednesday, came just ahead of the NFL's mid-season trade deadline. In exchange for Carter II and wide receiver John Metchie III, the Eagles are giving up a low draft pick.
The 26-year-old Carter II brings experience to the table, having played multiple positions in his six-year NFL career. Initially drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2021 draft as a nickelback, he has also seen significant time at safety and occasionally outside corner. His athleticism was evident during his time with Duke, where he logged 135 tackles, seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and 24 pass breakups over 46 games.
Carter II's playing time decreased in recent seasons, particularly following a back injury in Week Four last year, which limited him to just six snaps in the Jets' game against the Bengals. The trade comes at a time when Carter struggled to find consistency due to his health concerns and the changing defensive scheme under new head coach Aaron Glenn.
For the Eagles, Michael Carter II serves as an interesting prospect who can offer depth to their defense, particularly at the slot position. With Cooper DeJean being preferred in the slot, Carter II's safety pedigree makes him a natural backup option if injury were to strike. His versatility allows for potential flexibility on the field, and Vic Fangio has emphasized the need for adaptability in his defensive scheme.
Fangio discussed the concept of adjusting DeJean's position from the slot to outside corner during a recent press conference. However, he acknowledged that moving DeJean out would come with its drawbacks, considering the player's effectiveness in that role. Carter II's addition provides an alternative solution to this dilemma.
While it remains unclear how Michael Carter II will perform on the Eagles' roster, his background offers some promising signs. His ability to play effectively from the slot and make several key plays against quarterbacks indicate a high level of skill for a nickelback. However, the lack of guaranteed money in his recent contract extension raises questions about his long-term commitment to Philadelphia.
For now, Carter II's addition appears designed to provide depth to the Eagles' defense rather than supplant established players at critical positions. As he resumes practice on Thursday and faces competition from other defensive backs, it will be intriguing to see how he integrates into Fangio's scheme and contributes to the team's overall performance in upcoming weeks.
In a move aimed at bolstering their defense, the Eagles have acquired Jets defensive back Michael Carter II, nicknamed "MC2." The trade, which was made on Wednesday, came just ahead of the NFL's mid-season trade deadline. In exchange for Carter II and wide receiver John Metchie III, the Eagles are giving up a low draft pick.
The 26-year-old Carter II brings experience to the table, having played multiple positions in his six-year NFL career. Initially drafted by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2021 draft as a nickelback, he has also seen significant time at safety and occasionally outside corner. His athleticism was evident during his time with Duke, where he logged 135 tackles, seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions, and 24 pass breakups over 46 games.
Carter II's playing time decreased in recent seasons, particularly following a back injury in Week Four last year, which limited him to just six snaps in the Jets' game against the Bengals. The trade comes at a time when Carter struggled to find consistency due to his health concerns and the changing defensive scheme under new head coach Aaron Glenn.
For the Eagles, Michael Carter II serves as an interesting prospect who can offer depth to their defense, particularly at the slot position. With Cooper DeJean being preferred in the slot, Carter II's safety pedigree makes him a natural backup option if injury were to strike. His versatility allows for potential flexibility on the field, and Vic Fangio has emphasized the need for adaptability in his defensive scheme.
Fangio discussed the concept of adjusting DeJean's position from the slot to outside corner during a recent press conference. However, he acknowledged that moving DeJean out would come with its drawbacks, considering the player's effectiveness in that role. Carter II's addition provides an alternative solution to this dilemma.
While it remains unclear how Michael Carter II will perform on the Eagles' roster, his background offers some promising signs. His ability to play effectively from the slot and make several key plays against quarterbacks indicate a high level of skill for a nickelback. However, the lack of guaranteed money in his recent contract extension raises questions about his long-term commitment to Philadelphia.
For now, Carter II's addition appears designed to provide depth to the Eagles' defense rather than supplant established players at critical positions. As he resumes practice on Thursday and faces competition from other defensive backs, it will be intriguing to see how he integrates into Fangio's scheme and contributes to the team's overall performance in upcoming weeks.