Over the years, Derek Carr always had to deal with countless doubters. Since he was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2014, the 30-year old quarterback needed to prove himself worthy of his place in the NFL. But weeks after the new season kicked off, he’s putting on a show that will finally silence his critics.
We take a look below at Carr’s hot start this year and how it has influenced his stock in the card market to soar.
The Reason Why Derek Carr Cards Are Rising
Back when he was taken using the 36th pick in the second round, the Raiders were considered to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. This was a far cry from the squad Rich Gannon led to deep playoff campaigns during the early 2000s. This year, though, Carr is making something happen for Las Vegas.
The Raiders’ hot start is evident with a 3-0 record, placing them on top of the American Football Conference. The last time they began this way was 2002, the year Las Vegas reached the Super Bowl. Of course, Derek Carr deserves most of the credit for his team’s early success.
In less than a month of NFL action, Carr is leading the league in passing yards. The Raiders’ QB is in first place with 817 yards, with Kyler Murray and Patrick Mahomes having 689 and 680, respectively. Carr is also third in completions with 62 tucked under his belt. Only Dak Prescott and Jared Goff are better with 65 and 64 each.
When it comes to attempts, Carr is tied with Goff at 93 apiece. This places them on top of this category in the NFL. And while the current season is merely three weeks old, there’s still a lot of chances for Carr to build more momentum and increase his numbers along the way.
Derek Carr: The only QB with 300+ passing yards in every game this season 🚀
And the Raiders are 3-0 👀 pic.twitter.com/ToJVpnydCF
— PFF (@PFF) September 26, 2021
Along with the Raiders’ best start in years, these numbers also place Carr in a better position than Rich Gannon’s MVP season in 2002. Apart from breaking the franchise’s record for passing yards in two games, Carr’s 408.5 yards per game while throwing four touchdowns to one interception is ahead of Gannon’s 308.5 yards average with three TDs to three interceptions.
With the numbers and wins backing him up, Carr is definitely in the early conversation for MVP this season. Of course, a lot of things can still happen between now and the Super Bowl to either derail or solidify his chances of winning the award. One thing is for sure, though. Derek Carr card collectors are winning right now.
The Current State of Rookie Cards
Carr’s value at the start of September couldn’t be more different than what it is now. Back then, his PSA 10 base Prizm rookie card can be had at around $102. After several weeks and a string of impressive performances, the number has risen up to $300. All things considered, this was a pretty good month for savvy collectors who invested in Derek Carr rookie cards.
As mentioned earlier, the season is still young and there are a lot of things that can happen. Rather than chase something at the peak, it’s best to bide your time and wait for Carr’s stock to dip in the market. Doing so will help you maximize your money’s worth as the season runs its course.
Follow Us
Subscribe