With The First Pick
Fansided

Derek Carr Ready to Step up to Elite Quarterback Status

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after completing a two point conversion to take the lead during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates after completing a two point conversion to take the lead during the fourth quarter of a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Raiders defeated the Saints 35-34. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) blocks a pass by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) blocks a pass by Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie Year

The Raiders picked Carr at the beginning of the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. So his situation was no different than a quarterback that went in the top 10. He went 3-13 as a rookie, but had his moments, showing the NFL wasn’t too big for him.

He almost out-Bradyed New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in his own back yard. Carr had the Raiders near the goal line as the Patriots led 16-9 with time running out. But the Patriots intercepted a pass that bounced off then Raiders receiver Denarius Moore’s chest.

Carr didn’t light it up as a rookie but showed the poise and mental fortitude of an elite quarterback. And he would get his 4th-quarter comeback later on in the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. Raider Nation was excited to what he could do making the jump to Year 2.

To make that jump, he needed to connect on the deep ball more and work better against the blitz. Carr went 15-of-71 for two TDs on deep balls and his passer rating was 61.2 against the blitz.  He completed 58.1 percent of his passes for 3,270 yards 21 TDs to just 12 INTs for the season.

Next: Year 2

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