Raiders draft quarterback Derek Carr in second round

Originally published on Silver & Black Report on May 9, 2014

Just one day after getting their guy in linebacker Khalil Mack, the Raiders once again fit a need by getting former Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr with the fourth pick of the second round (36th overall).

Carr was undoubtedly the best quarterback remaining on the board at the start of the day, and some believed the Texans would take them with their first pick of the second round. Instead, the Texans selected guard Xavier Su’a-Filo, opening up the chances for Carr to fall to the Raiders with teams with little need for another quarterback in between.

Reggie McKenzie and Dennis Allen get their young quarterback to groom under veteran Matt Schaub.

Carr was believed to be a first-round talent, giving the Raiders solid value by selecting him 36th overall.

Carr is a strong-armed quarterback, athletic quarterback that features a quick release and the ability to escape the pocket should it crumble. Carr is also reportedly very passionate about football and carries a moxie on the field, something McKenzie and Allen value highly.

The selection of Carr gives the Raiders a young quarterback to groom and hopefully be the heir to Matt Schaub to become a franchise quarterback, something the organization hasn’t had for quite some time.

Allen has always spoken highly of creating competition on the team, and this will only further the competition at a football team’s most important position.

Carr will need to work on his on his decision making as he sometimes trusts his skills too much and tries to sling the ball in there, but provides the Raiders with a tough, instinctual quarterback.

The 6-foot-2, 214-pound quarterback became just the fourth quarterback in FBS history to throw for 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He finished last season with 68.7 percent completion rate, 5,082 yards, 50 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

Schaub, the Raiders current projected starter, once replaced Carr’s older brother David as the Texans starting quarterback, might Derek overtake Schaub as the Raiders starter sooner than later?

The Raiders have had a solid first two rounds of the draft, but there’s still a lot of work to do. Say tuned Raider Nation, it should be a fun ride the rest of the draft.