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Oakland Raiders’ Derek Carr Emerging As Best of 2014 Class

By Erik Lambert

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Sep 27, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Early this season it’s safe to say most of the top quarterbacks from the 2014 NFL draft class are making progress.  Teddy Bridgewater remains efficient.  Blake Bortles has shown some late-game magic while even Johnny Manziel popped a couple of big plays.  However, through the first three weeks it becoming increasingly clear that the crown jewel of that group is Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders.

The numbers alone indicate that.  He led all during the rookie season with 3,270 yards and 21 touchdown to just 12 interceptions.  So far this year he’s upped his game considerably.  After winning a shootout over the Baltimore Ravens in which he had over 350 yards and the clinching touchdown, he’s followed it up with another strong performance against another strong defense in Cleveland.

20/32, 314 yards, two TDs, no turnovers

The great irony of all this is the fact that Oakland was probably the worst team of the bunch when Carr was drafted, and he was the lowest drafted of the top four quarterbacks, being the only one to go outside the 1st round.  That begs the question.  Are teams leaning too much on what system players come from rather than focusing on whether said player has the mental and physical capacity to play the position?

Yes and no.  Don’t forget there was also the fact that Carr’s brother, David was a big draft bust in Houston.  That probably had a lot to do with his fall as well.  Regardless, the Raiders and their fans should thank their lucky stars they got him so late.  It could go down as one of the bigger quarterback steals in recent memory.

Next: 2016 NFL Draft QB Stock Report: Connor Cook Sagging

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