2020 Las Vegas Raiders Over/Under: Derek Carr 4,100 yards
By Nick Ellis
Las Vegas Raiders QB DerekCarr’s career-high in passing yards came last year with 4,054 yards, and he could throw for even more in 2020.
In 2019, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for a career high 4,054 yards, while completing over 70% of his passes, but still only threw 21 touchdowns. In 2020, Carr will try to improve upon all of these numbers, and considering that in his last two seasons he has thrown for over 4,000 yards, it is not crazy to think he can do it again.
Carr was able to throw for a career-high in 2019 without a true WR1, and a revolving door of receivers due to injury and a lack of depth at the position. In 2020, Carr will still have his top three weapons from 2019 in Darren Waller, Tyrell Williams, and Hunter Renfrow, but will also have first round pick Henry Ruggs III, Bryan Edwards, and Lynn Bowden Jr.
Not only will Carr have more weapons to work with, but so will Coach Gruden, who can hopefully put in more plays to get the ball down field and into the end zone. Although Williams and Renfrow have their own specific skills, Ruggs, Edwards, and Bowden bring something that the Raiders receiving group did not have last season.
Ruggs has the speed and explosiveness that the Raiders lacked in 2019, Edwards has the ability to dominate the 50/50 ball, and Bowden will likely be the most dynamic and versatile player on the team outside of Josh Jacobs.
In addition to Carr having more weapons, he will also be in Gruden’s system for the third year in a row. When Carr is able to become comfortable, he plays at a high level. In his first two seasons in Gruden’s system, Carr has thrown for over 4,000 yards both times with limited weapons and young players around him.
In 2020, Carr will be expected to have his best season, to win games, and will be fighting for his job against Marcus Mariota. Not only will Carr be put in a position to succeed, but at this point will be forced to succeed. Hopefully the situation that Carr has been put in will make him feel the need to make big plays and play more aggressive than in previous years.
Over/Under 4,100 yards: Over
My prediction for Carr will be around 4,300 yards, and although his completion percentage will fall, hopefully his touchdowns will go up, and most importantly, his wins.