Raiders QB Derek Carr Ready to Join the NFL Elite?

After an efficient 2015 campaign, Derek Carr now appears ready to make the leap to stardom.

There’s finally reason to hope in Oakland again, mainly thanks to a California kid from Fresno.

Since arriving to the Bay Area in 2014 as a second round draft pick, Derek Carr has helped transform the identity of what was previously seen as the laughing stock of the NFL. He’s brought leadership, proficient play, and a unique playmaking ability to a team sorely lacking in all three categories.

Last season, Carr showed great improvement in every aspect of his game. The 25-year-old posted an efficient 32-13 touchdown-interception ratio, tossed for almost 4,000 yards, and even saw a 3% uptick in his completion percentage (61.1%).

And before eventually finishing with a respectable 7-9 record, Carr and Co. had fans of the silver and black constantly buzzing with postseason talk.

In 2016, the Raiders will be looking for far, far more.

Much of the team’s playoff aspirations hinge on Carr’s right arm, and the Fresno State product must be better in order for those hopes to become reality.

Based off of his first two seasons, there’s no reason to believe he won’t continue to raise his level of play.

The question here really isn’t if Carr’s production will increase or level-off, but rather if he can make the leap to the NFL’s elite.

To be quite frank, if any current quarterback looks ready to do so, it’s Derek Carr.

Outside of his consistently improving play, he’s got a wealth of weapons surrounding him in Oakland who’ve assisted in his ascension.

Third-year running back Latavius Murray is coming off of his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign, 2015 rookie Pro Bowler Amari Cooper appears to be destined for greatness, and veteran Michael Crabtree enjoyed a fine career resurgence opposite of the Alabama standout. The duo combined for nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in their first year together.

In regards to the men protecting Carr, Oakland might be home to the top offensive line in the NFL after adding guard Kelechi Osemele during free agency. According to Pro Football Focus, the unit is the most formidable on paper.

"“The move gives the Raiders the best offensive line on paper heading into the 2016 season. Oakland added Rodney Hudson (84.7) at center last offseason, and he lived up to the hype. They drafted Gabe Jackson (84.4) in the third round of 2014 and he became an immediate starter. Austin Howard (80.6) was able to move to right tackle for 2015, and he had the best year of his career in pass-protection.”"

It’s clear that Carr has the skill-set to fly up the quarterbacking ranks next season, but with an offense that is loaded to the teeth with playmakers, actually making the leap into elite status might not be so unconscionable.

In recent years, young signal-callers like Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson have each conquered the lofty expectations that were set before them, using their third seasons as springboards into the upper-tier of the position.

As Carr’s expectations continue to grow, so does the hope that he’ll deliver the goods come September.

Considering how quickly he’s already progressed, the rest of the league better watch out.