Michael Carter would give Jacksonville Jaguars depth, options at running back

Running back isn't among the Jacksonville Jaguars' biggest needs at the midpoint of the 2023 season. However, they could use depth at the position after waiving JaMycal Hasty. Travis Etienne is firmly entrenched as the starter while D'Ernest Johnson, a free-agent pickup, and rookie Tank Bigsby are behind him on the depth chart. Carter showed promise a couple of years ago and might be a low-risk, high-reward reclamation project in Jacksonville.

Carter, a fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft, became the top option on the NY Jets' backfield as a rookie, toting the rock a team-high 147 times for 639 yards with four touchdowns. However, injuries and bad outings sent him tumbling down the depth chart. By season's end, he was behind the likes of Tevin Coleman, Breece Hall, Zonovan Knight, and even James Robinson, who landed in the Big Apple to pave the way for Etienne.

Things weren't much better for Carter in 2023. The Jets locked up Dalvin Cook before the start of the regular season and Carter became an afterthought in their backfield. While he still got playing time, he wasn't put in a position to succeed. The former Tar Heel was miscast in Nathaniel Hackett's offense as a change-of-pace back even though his blocking and receiver skills were suboptimal. In the end, New York decided it was time to move on and released him Tuesday.

Since Carter is still on his rookie deal, he's subject to waivers. If he goes unclaimed, he's free to join any team he pleases, and could even sign to the Jets' practice squad. Whether the Jaguars put a claim on him or sign him, they should give him bring him.