Las Vegas Raiders: 5 players who need to step up in 2020
By Matt Holder
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 players who need to step up in 2020
Derek Carr
It has become an annual tradition to discuss Derek Carr’s future with the Raiders during the offseason. This year was no different as rumors of Tom Brady signing with the team ran rampant, and leading up to the draft, many speculated that the organization was targeting either Jordan Love or Jalen Hurts. Nonetheless, Carr is still standing as Las Vegas’s starter heading into the season.
The quarterback’s record is the primary reason why people cast doubt on his future with the team. In six years as a starter, he’s only won 39 out of 94 contests and has only put together one winning season. Any fanbase would grow frustrated with that lack of success, let alone one that has years of pent up frustration.
However, as people in Carr’s corner will point out, he hasn’t had a great supporting cast to work with either. The defense has never ranked higher than 20th in points allowed per game during his tenure, and the organization has been struggling to find a true number one wide receiver ever since trading Amari Cooper. With that being said, that’s no longer the case heading into 2020.
The Raiders used the 12th overall selection in the draft on wideout Henry Ruggs III, to go along with up and coming tight end Darren Waller and an offensive line that many feel is a top-tier unit. As for the other side of the ball, the organization has increased its spending by about $40 million and ranks 14th in the league in terms of salary cap allocated to defensive players.
Now, the excuses are off the table so it’s time for Carr to step up and lead the team to victory. Otherwise, the question of his status with the Silver and Black will continue to dominate the offseason headlines, but the answer might be different.