Derek Carr NFL Draft 2014: Highlights, Scouting Report for Oakland Raiders QB

Gregory Bull/Associated Press

Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State (HT: 6’2⅜", WT: 214 lbs)

Oakland Raiders

Second Round: 36th Pick 

NFL Comparison: Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears

Positives

• Displays very good arm strength, can make all of the throws.
• Throws with excellent velocity, the ball jumps out of his hand.
• Can drive the ball outside the numbers in the intermediate-to-deep levels of the field.
• Has some of the intangibles of a franchise signal-caller.
• Charismatic leader with a great work ethic.
• More than adequate athlete with some functional mobility and scrambling ability.
• Makes big-time throws.
• Flashes tremendous deep accuracy, dropping the ball into a bucket 30 to 60 yards downfield with touch and perfect trajectory.
• Capable of airing it out over 60 yards.
• Displays good timing.
• Adequate size for an NFL quarterback with an athletic build.
• Can throw accurately with touch and careful placement.
• Throws a tight spiral.
• Takes shots downfield, throwing it up against single coverage and allowing his receivers to make a play.
• Shows the ability to climb the pocket and deliver.
• Experienced, a three-year starter and team captain.
• Displayed steady improvement over his college career and gives coaches a lot to work with.
• Extremely productive, breaking a litany of school records as a senior.
• Stood out in Senior Bowl practices due to physical abilities and leadership qualities.

Negatives

• Footwork needs improvement; he often retreats from pressure and throws off his back foot. Needs to step into his throws more consistently.
• Poor decision-making under duress.
• Average pocket presence with wavering poise and unrefined pocket movement.
• Stares down his intended target. He needs to improve eye discipline.
• Too often appears to be flustered by pressure. Can be quick to flee the pocket.
• Inconsistent mechanics, has a tendency to lock his lower half and throw with his arm alone.
• Struggles when his receivers’ routes are disrupted.
• Often late to recognize the blitz.
• Operated almost exclusively out of shotgun with four or five receiver sets.
• Not an anticipatory thrower.
• Will not hurt defenses on the ground. He has enough mobility to get by but is not much of a running threat.
• Hangs his receivers out to dry at times.
• Does not appear to see the field very well, throwing into double-teams occasionally.
• Struggled with top competition. College career ended on a lousy note as he was erratic vs. USC in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Personal Notes

• Three-year team captain.
• Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year 2013.
• First-team All-MWC 2013.
• Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year 2012.
• First-team All-MWC 2012…Second-team All-WAC 2011.
• Redshirted 2010.
• Two brothers, David and Darren, played Division I college football.
• Recreation administration and leisure services management major.

Ratings Chart

nces.ed.gov

Overall

A charismatic leader with the physical tools and intangibles to be the face of an NFL franchise, Carr is the top-rated senior quarterback in this class. The younger brother of former first-overall pick David Carr, he rewrote the record books at Fresno State this past season with statistics usually only seen in video games. Still, concerns exist about his footwork and ability to handle pressure. After an impressive showing at the Senior Bowl, where he was the best signal-caller in attendance, his draft stock appears to be on the rise. He will fit best in a vertical offense that utilizes his arm strength.

Draft Projection: 1st-2nd Round

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