4. Derek Carr
When Derek Carr fell out of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, it was a blessing that the Raiders franchise needed to help fulfill their rebuild as after Carr fell to them in the second round they were able to land to franchise players in one draft. Khalil Mack going fifth overall and Carr miraculously falling to the Raiders with the 36th pick one round later.
A talented starter at Fresno State with NFL pedigree as the younger brother of former first overall pick David Carr, Derek Carr’s hard work that he put in for his entire life to become an NFL quarterback quickly paid off. Carr became a Week 1 starter for the Raiders in his rookie season and has been the leader of the offense ever since.
Carr’s first two seasons have featured many of the ups and downs you would expect from a young quarterback leading a young team that is rebuilding, but his performances have been good enough to earn the label as one of the best young passers in the game. A 3,987 yard, 31 touchdown season in 2015 proving that Carr can be the franchise quarterback this team has been looking for since Rich Gannon retired.
Blessed with an amazing work ethic and leadership abilities, Carr is the face of the Raiders offense as the quarterback that the Raider Nation has been waiting forever to finally have on the roster. With expectations sky high going into 2016, the pressure is on Carr to take the next step and guide this improved Raiders team into the postseason. It is a guarantee that Carr has put in the work to achieve that goal, the next step is turning that work to improve into results on the field this season and making that leap into the playoffs.
– Chase Ruttig