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Derek Carr: 5 Possible destinations ahead of NFL Trade Deadline

By Michael Pallas

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders passes during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 23: Derek Carr #4 of the Oakland Raiders passes during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 23, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Marc Serota/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Philip Rivers of Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 21: Philip Rivers of Los Angeles Chargers reacts during the NFL International Series match between Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley Stadium on October 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Chargers

Trading within a division is always tricky. That said, the Raiders won’t be competitive for a long time. So, trading Carr within the AFC West wouldn’t be as huge blow to the fan base as it typically would.

Like Roethlisberger, current Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers will be on the final year of his deal, and the Chargers could save $16 million by cutting Rivers and bringing in his replacement. Trading a draft pick for Carr wouldn’t be all the Chargers have to do, though. Trading simply a draft pick would put them over the cap. Subsequently, they may also have to put a player in there or cut someone to make room for Carr.

The Chargers are a dark horse Super Bowl contender this season, and they could be for more than just this year if they have a succession plan in place for Rivers — who was drafted the same year as Big Ben and will also be 37 when the 2019 season begins.

In the end, the Chargers need to weight future vs. present. How much does Rivers have left, and can they get away with moving forward with the talent they have and adding a 29-year old Derek Carr, or would a draft pick be a better solution? It seems like Carr would be the best plan for the Chargers than a draft pick, given the expectations of this year’s draft class.

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