Eagles Film Room: Michael Carter II provides depth and flexibility

The Eagles made a small but intriguing move ahead of the NFL trade deadline, acquiring nickel cornerback Michael Carter II from the New York Jets in what’s effectively a late-round draft pick swap with John Metchie III moving the other way. Carter, a fifth-year pro, was once one of the league’s most reliable slot defenders, earning an extension after a standout 2023 season. However, injuries and a decline in form over the past two years saw him fall out of favor. Seeing as I had no preview to write this week, I thought I’d watch Michael Carter II and write about him instead. I’ll list some positives and negatives for each section I focused on. If you’d like to watch the whole film session that led to this scouting report, breaking down his reps in detail, it’s available now over on my Patreon. Let’s go!

+ Carter’s best work comes in zone coverage, where his route recognition, anticipation, and click-and-close speed allow him to disrupt short throws and attack the flat. Plays like his recognition of post/wheel combinations or sniffing out running back screens show solid processing and film preparation.

+ Even in his down years, Carter’s long speed (4.36) shows up on tape. He can carry vertical routes cleanly and avoid giving up explosive plays.

– Except for one game vs. the Eagles in 2023, ironically, he has been a slot cornerback his whole career. I don’t see the traits or physicality to play outside.

– He has very limited production (just two career interceptions, and both of them were sort of flukey) and very few true pass breakups. He tends to be in position but rarely finishes plays on the football.

– He tends to get too tight in-phase, allowing bigger receivers to use subtle push-offs to separate. Against players like Brandon Aiyuk or Elijah Moore, he struggled to stay balanced through contact. This reflects his lighter frame.

+ Very willing and urgent in run support, attacking downhill against pulling guards and setting edges against tight ends or slot receivers. For a smaller player, he shows no fear.

+ He’s the kind of slot corner who’s trusted to stay in nickel against 12 personnel. He knows that slot corners have a part to play in run fits, and is willing to do his job.

– However, his tackling form and finish have regressed since 2023, missing more plays when coming downhill from depth. He struggles more with his tackling in space, often in the pass game when travelling to the flat, than he does against the run.

– Struggles to shed wide receiver blocks on screen plays, which limits his effectiveness in modern screen-heavy offenses. This came up a lot on film this year!

+ Quick and fluid mover, with clean pedal and transitions when healthy. He has light feet, and his deep speed shows up on film.

+ Short-area burst and agility remain strong traits. He can mirror shifty slot receivers and change direction quickly.

– Tends to fall off balance at times due to over-aggression or tight body positioning.

– Movement skills look NFL-quality, but overall play strength and stability have dipped. I mentioned this earlier, but I don’t see the athletic traits to play outside.

+ Looks smart and instinctive in the film I watched, especially in zone. He processes offensive structure quickly, and I rarely see him out of place.

+ High effort and competitive temperament. He plays with visible urgency and intensity.

+ Fits the classic “scrappy, undersized corner” archetype. He looks confident, combative, and active in communication on film.

– I think it’s worth noting that I didn’t see many reps where he communicated effectively as he would do in a Fangio’ style defense. He played more man than I expected.

Carter’s arrival in Philadelphia is best viewed as a depth and flexibility move, rather than one that changes the depth chart dramatically. In the short term, I see him as a rotational nickel option who can contribute on special teams and in Dime packages (6 DBs), giving Vic Fangio another piece to mix into his sub-packages. His experience and football IQ make him a steady insurance policy behind Cooper DeJean. In certain matchups, potentially against teams with two elite outside receivers, Carter’s presence could allow DeJean to slide outside temporarily. He also gives the defense another player to use in Dime personnel packages, something Fangio has been more open to using this season.

Long term, Carter’s best path to playing time will come through mastering the nuances of Fangio’s system. This is a defense built on communication, chemistry, and relationships, which makes it unlikely he’ll play meaningful snaps right away. Still, his versatility and willingness in run support give the Eagles a type of nickel profile they lacked behind DeJean.

Overall, Carter profiles as a competitive, physical nickel who plays fast, smart, and tough. He can hold his own in run fits, execute blitz responsibilities, and cover short zones as well as deep shots effectively. The downside is that his limited size and declining form over the past two seasons cap his upside, and he’ll need time to acclimate to Fangio’s communication-heavy defense. I worry about his ability to play man coverage, too. The film this year isn’t very good. You have to go back to 2023 to see a really good player.

Still, the trade represents a low-cost, low-risk addition with potential value if he can rediscover flashes of his 2023 play. He won’t push DeJean for the starting role, but he enhances depth and gives the coaching staff more schematic flexibility. For essentially nothing in return, the Eagles have added a veteran corner who has the skill-set to fit the defense, even if the expectations should remain modest based on his recent form.

Thank you for reading! I’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment below and ask any questions. If you enjoyed this piece, you can find more of my work and podcast here. If you would like to support me further, please check out my Patreon here!