Las Vegas Raiders: 5 Players impressing the most at training camp

3. Derek Carr, QB

Since Jon Gruden arrived back with the Silver and Black, quarterback Derek Carr has been a somewhat maligned figure. It feels like everyone has been looking for his replacement, especially when the Raiders signed Marcus Mariota this offseason. However, it’s been the incumbent in Carr who has been the far more impressive quarterback in that battle throughout camp to this point, likely securing his spot as the starter.

Mayock was asked about Carr and his performance thus far at training camp and was highly complimentary while also expressing why he believes that’s the case, via Josh Schrock of NBC Sports Bay Area:

"“I’m just really pleased with the way Derek Carr has taken over this football team. And it goes back to the offseason, it goes back to all the workouts he had with the players and the players just confirming their buy-in. And that’s been awesome. I think Derek is just a natural. I think he gets better every day with Jon [Gruden] in Year 3.”"

Adding a long list of pass-catchers to the mix this offseason surely hasn’t hurt Carr’s performance and neither has the inconsistent and now injury-plagued camp of Mariota as Carr now stands out by contrast.

Having said that, if the quarterback is truly able to take a step forward this season as he’s better protected with the skill position players and more comfortable in the offense, the Raiders could benefit greatly from that.