Michael Carter: Should i pick up| Is starting| 40 time| Starter

Introduction

In fantasy football, injuries, bye weeks, and depth chart fluctuations create constant churn at the running back position. One name bubbling up in waiver wire discussions is Michael Carter. But should you pick him up? Is he viable as a starter this week (or longer term)? What does his 40-yard dash time reveal about his athleticism? In this article, we’ll examine the data, the context, and guide you on whether Michael Carter is starter-worthy.

We’ll cover:

• A brief background and current status

• His measured athletic metrics (40 time and more)

• Recent team usage and depth chart dynamics

• Fantasy projections and risk/reward

• A conclusion: pick up? start?

• FAQs

Background & Current Status

Michael Carter (running back) was drafted by the New York Jets in the 4th round (107th overall) in 2021.

In his rookie season, Carter posted 147 carries for 639 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, plus 36 receptions for 325 receiving yards. He dealt with injuries (a high ankle sprain) that sidelined him part of the year.

In 2022, he ran for 402 yards on 114 carries with 3 touchdowns, along with 41 receptions for 288 yards, in 16 games (10 starts).

He was released by the Jets in November 2023 and claimed by the Arizona Cardinals.  In 2024, he moved between the Cardinals’ active roster and practice squad.  As of late September 2025, due to injuries in the Cardinals’ backfield (e.g. James Conner season-ending, Trey Benson on IR), Carter has been elevated to their active roster.

So, the context is clear: Carter is no longer a locked-in feature back, but circumstances (injuries ahead of him) have opened an opportunity.

Athletic Metrics & the 40-Time Question

One of the key evaluation points is the 40-yard dash time (commonly called “40 time”) and how it translates to on-field performance.

Measured Times

• According to NFL Draft Buzz, his 40-yard dash is listed as 4.50 seconds (70th percentile for his comparison group).

• MockDraftable lists him as having run a 4.54 40 at his pro day.

• Earlier scouting reports noted that his 4.54 in the 40 was “slower than expected” and may have hurt his draft stock.

• Other metrics: his agility drills are strong. He ran a 3.98-second shuttle and 6.83 three-cone drill, which are top-tier.

So depending on source, his 40 time is ~4.50–4.54 seconds, which is decent but not elite in today’s RB pool.

Interpretation & Caveats

• A 4.50ish time is mostly average-to-above-average, but not in the “fast burner” category. It suggests he has enough speed to avoid being slow, but not necessarily enough to break open 60+ yard plays by default.

• His agility and change-of-direction numbers are more impressive, which is helpful in traffic-heavy NFL scenarios.

• 40 time is an imperfect proxy—it doesn’t account for vision, burst, pad level, or blocking ability.

So yes, the 40-time is respectable, but not the primary factor in whether he’s starter-worthy. It’s one piece of the puzzle.

Team Depth Chart & Usage Dynamics

To decide whether Carter is worth rostering or starting, you must examine how the Cardinals intend to use him, especially with injuries ahead in the depth chart.

Cardinals Running Back Situation (2025)

• James Conner is out for the season, removing a veteran back.

• Trey Benson is injured and on IR (meniscus injury) expected to be out 4–6 weeks.

• Emari Demercado remains on the roster and is expected to get work, especially in passing-down or third-down roles.

Because of this depletion, many fantasy analysts are projecting Carter to be elevated in role. For example:

• RotoBaller suggests Carter should be targeted in all standard leagues while Benson is sidelined.

• ProFootballNetwork notes that Carter may take over the role Benson vacates and that he already has experience seeing 70%+ snaps when needed.

• DraftKings content asks: which RB (Carter or Demercado) will be the starter with Benson out, and leans toward some split usage but sees upside for Carter.

Thus, Carter’s opportunity is real. The question becomes: will he be good enough to demand a full starter role, or will he be a committee/rotation piece?

Historical Snap Share & Opportunity

In past seasons, Carter has had moments where he carried a heavy load. For instance:

• In late 2023 with injuries ahead, he saw 15 and 21 touches in two games.

• Early career, he was part of committees and shared duty, which may limit his total upside unless he distinguishes himself.

Also, durability is a concern. Injuries have interrupted his continuity before. So, expecting him to carry an entire load every week is risky. Michael Carter starter.

Fantasy Outlook: Upside, Risks & Startability

Given the context and metrics, what is Carter’s fantasy outlook? Is he startable now — or only in deeper leagues or spot starts?

Upside / Strengths

1. Opportunity-driven upside
   With Benson out and Conner gone, Carter may get volume — especially early in this stretch. That volume is the path to fantasy relevance.

2. Receiving ability
   In past seasons, Carter caught passes (e.g. 36 receptions as a rookie) which gives him PPR / flex value beyond just rushing.

3. Explosiveness metrics
   On PlayerProfiler, his explosive numbers are solid (e.g. EPX).

4. Floor in uncertain backfields
   Backfields with injuries often reward whoever gets work. Carter may have a safer floor than many unproven backup backs.

Risks / Weaknesses

1. Committee risk
   Demercado may soak up some touches, especially on passing downs. Expect splitting work in some weeks.

2. Limited track record of sustained dominance
   Carter has not consistently been a lead bell-cow back over many weeks.

3. Injury & volatility
   Given his injury history and fluctuations in snap count, consistency is not guaranteed.

4. Lack of big-play burst
   His 40 time is good but not elite; he’s more of a grinder than a home-run hitter in many instances.

Startability Assessment

• Standard leagues, shallow depth: Carter is a decent waiver wire add but perhaps not a full-time “must-start” immediately, unless injuries are deep.

• PPR / flex-friendly formats: He has a better case, due to his pass-catching background.

• Spot-start/Sleeper calls: With favorable matchups or if he clearly leads the committee in a given week, starting him can pay off.

• Long-term starter? If he earns and holds the lead role for 3–4 weeks, he could become a bona fide value starter during the Benson absence window.

Many analysts currently lean toward pick up now but monitor usage closely. Michael Carter starter.

Should You Pick Up Michael Carter?

Yes — with caveats.

If he’s available in your league’s waiver wire, he is a strong target, especially in formats where RB depth is valuable. With key injuries ahead of him, Carter could deliver immediate value. He’s not a guaranteed workhorse, but the projected opportunity makes him a worthwhile speculative add.

However — don’t overreach. If your league has many claims or competition, or you already have adequate depth, weigh other high-upside backs first. Use Carter as a high-upside flyer.

Sample Use Cases / Scenarios

• You have a weak RB2 / bench — picking up Carter gives you upside and insurance.

• Bye weeks approaching — he can step in as a placeholder or maybe outperform your current starter.

• You’re in a deep league or 20-team league — Carter is more likely to have value due to thin depth.

• You already have a loaded RB room — you can wait and watch how he’s used before fully committing. Michael Carter starter.

Conclusion

Michael Carter’s current opportunity window is real. Thanks to injuries to Conner and Benson, he may see a surge in volume, giving fantasy managers a window to exploit. His 40-time is decent (≈ 4.50–4.54), and his agility metrics are strong, but he is not a guaranteed star.

If you’re in a shallow or competitive league and Carter is unowned, picking him up is a smart play. Start him selectively, monitor his role, and be ready to pivot if the committee splits too heavily. He’s not a lock to be a long-term starter, but he could be a productive one for a stretch.

FAQs

Q1: What exactly is Michael Carter’s 40 time?
Depending on sources, it’s approximately 4.50 seconds (70th percentile) per NFL Draft Buzz. Some scouts list 4.54 s (MockDraftable).

Q2: Is Michael Carter expected to be the full-time starter?
Not guaranteed. While injuries open the door, the Cardinals may still rotate with Demercado, especially on passing downs. Analysts expect some committee usage.

Q3: When should I start Carter vs bench him?
Use matchup strength, injury reports, and usage trends. If he’s getting > 60% of snaps and > 15 touches in recent games, he’s safer to start. Michael Carter starter.

Q4: What’s his upside in PPR format?
Better than in standard scoring, because of his receiving background. His floor is safer when he catches passes, so he’s more viable in PPR/flex formats.

Q5: How long might this opportunity last?
Likely while Benson is injured (4–6 weeks) and possibly longer, depending on performance and team decisions.