Jets' Michael Carter: Wilson 'deserved to be' No. 1 pick
Trevor Lawrence's status as the top prospect in this year's draft was arguably undisputed, but New York Jets rookie running back Michael Carter believes his new teammate, quarterback Zach Wilson, should've been the first name called.
"I love Zach," Carter recently said on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "He's a great player. He's literally so good, and he's so smart. He does minute stuff that just really wows you. He deserved to be the No. 1 pick, if I'm being honest."
The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the 2021 draft by selecting Lawrence with the first overall pick, leaving Wilson to the Jets at No. 2.
Wilson broke out in his final season at BYU, completing 73.5% of his passes for 33 touchdowns against just three interceptions. He tossed 56 touchdowns to 15 picks through three campaigns with the Cougars.
Meanwhile, Lawrence amassed 90 touchdown passes against 17 interceptions at Clemson from 2018-20. He helped the Tigers reach two national championship games, winning the title as a freshman in 2018.
Carter spent his college career at North Carolina and faced Lawrence's Clemson on multiple occasions.
"Trevor Lawrence is a special talent too," Carter added. "All I'm saying is that some people were arguing for Zach, and I agree because I feel like Zach is a great quarterback as well. I'm not knocking on anybody."
New York selected Carter in the fourth round this year, 107th overall.