Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has his fair share of critics. The 29-year-old hasn't quite kept up the production from his breakout 2015 and 2016 campaigns and despite a solid and efficient 2019 season, the former second-round pick is still doubted.
Last season, Carr completed a career-high 70.4 percent of his passes, which was good for second in the NFL behind New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees. It was also the best mark among QBs with at least 400 passing attempts.
However, Carr's completion percentage numbers were inflated by the Raiders offensive scheme which heavily relied on checkdown passes and shorter routes. But, for Carr, that shouldn't discredit his impact on the field.
“I also love when people say that we only throw checkdowns to Jalen Richard,” Carr said per Vic Tafur of The Athletic “But those are called plays for Jalen Richard. You know?! These are plays where we are only running routes to get him the ball. Our yards per attempt and completion are super high and they are only going to get higher and grow higher as we’re adding speed and versatility on our offense. It’s only gonna get better.”
Along with a sky-high completion percentage, Carr also managed to throw for 4,054 yards, 21 touchdowns and only eight interceptions — his lowest total since 2016.
As for the team as a whole, the Raiders desperately lacked a true No. 1 option at receiver last year. And they were led by tight end Darren Waller who reeled in 90 receptions — more than 40 more than any wide receiver on the team.
With the 12th overall pick in this year's draft, the Raiders selected blazing-fast Alabama receiver Henry Ruggs III with the 12th overall pick. They also drafted two other SEC wideouts in Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards with back-to-back picks in the third round.
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