Oakland Raiders: Mike Mayock talks about building around Derek Carr
Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock couldn’t avoid the burning question about Derek Carr‘s future. His answer provided a hint on the team’s plans.
Mike Mayock mingled with team beat writers to discuss his transition from NFL Network draft guru to Oakland Raiders general manager. Of course, during the chat, reporters asked him about quarterback Derek Carr—a topic he didn’t delve into at his introductory press conference.
Mayock didn’t give a definite answer on Carr’s future with the team, but he talked about adding assets around him, per Bay Area News Group’s Matt Schneidman:
"When you look at 32 teams in this league there aren’t 32 starting quarterbacks, yet we have one of them He is a starting quarterback in the NFL…We have to do a better job of protecting him and giving him weapons…We need to get more speed on offense, we need to be more dynamic. Derek Carr, at this point, is kind of the least of our problems."
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As long as Carr remains on the roster, it’s best team brass support him, but it seems as though the Raiders will have the same starter under center for a sixth consecutive term.
That’s the logical approach. Head coach Jon Gruden introduced Carr to his fourth offensive system in five seasons. As expected, he went through rough patches, but flashed moderate improvement in the second half of the season. The fifth-year quarterback threw 332 consecutive passes without an interception. He accomplished the feat behind a porous offensive line and without a top-flight receiving option for most of the year.
Season two under Gruden will shine a brighter light on Carr. He must take care of the football and stretch the field with dynamic playmakers if Mayock keeps his word. The Raiders’ decision-makers had a close look at several prospects in Mobile, Alabama during Senior Bowl practices. A few guys may put themselves on the Silver and Black’s draft board as they showcase their skills.
The rumblings about trading Carr could ramp up during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis where team officials often discuss players and scenarios. CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora gave a bold prediction, pinpointing the New York Giants as a club that may attempt to acquire the 27-year old signal-caller before the 2019 draft.
"And ultimately what’s the point of keeping Derek Carr? And if you have all this draft capital and you get a one plus something else for Derek Carr, which I think he can — I’ll call it right now, Derek Carr to the New York Giants at the combine."
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It’s more likely the Raiders select a quarterback Day 3 of the upcoming draft than the team trading Carr before he can fully grasp the offensive system with versatile talents on the perimeter. As we know, Gruden enjoys working with players at the position, but he also understands his main goal is to identify the franchise signal-caller for the long term—that search starts with No. 4.