Colts showing interest in Raiders QB Derek Carr: Is he enough?

The Colts have shown interest in Raiders QB Derek Carr; he has the potential to be the franchise player that the team is looking for.

Reports from league sources have surfaced over the last few days regarding Raiders lifer Derek Carr and his availability. Jon Gruden and the front office have looked to upgrade over Carr as the team moves to Las Vegas; among the names mentioned is superstar QB, Tom Brady. If this were the case, the Colts front office has expressed interest in trading for the Raider QB this offseason, per The Athletic’s Stephen Holder (on the One Percent Better Podcast).

"“I’ve heard from some people, and one thing that I heard recently,” Holder said. “Now, I’m not breaking news here, I am giving you sort of a rumor that I heard, but the source is good right, so I just can’t tell you the source. But the point is, I’ve been told to keep an eye out on Derek Carr in that situation as it relates to the Colts.”"

Carr is still under contract through 2022 and is will be a 21.5 million cap hit in 2020. Because of this, it’s safe to say that if the Colts do sign him, it’s for the long-term. The Raider QB did perform well this past season, totaling 21 touchdowns and 8 interceptions (with 6 of them coming in the first five weeks) in the most efficient season of his career.

He finished with a completion percentage of 70.4 percent and a QB Rating of 100.8, easily the best totals during his NFL career and even higher than his three Pro Bowl seasons from 2015-2017. Carr also threw for the most yards in his career to date (4,054) and the most yards per attempt (7.9).

Although many around the league have previously said that Carr isn’t good enough to be a top-tier QB, it’s clear that he deserves to be in the conversation. His 100.8 QB Rating in 2019 ranked 9th among all passers, above Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott, and Deshaun Watson. His Y/A also ranked 9th, tied with Drew Brees and above MVP Lamar Jackson, and his completion percentage of 70.4% ranked 2nd only to Brees (who only played in 11 games in 2019).

With this, Carr has at least earned his spot among the top-10 QBs in the NFL and would be a significant upgrade over Jacoby Brissett. What would it take for the Colts to get the Raider QB to Indianapolis?

The smart move for the Colts in this scenario would be to trade for Carr without having to give up their 13th pick. Given that, it’d be almost certain that the team would need to surrender their 34th pick in 2019, along with possibly a 2021 first-round pick.

With the Raiders also in need of offensive guard depth, it wouldn’t be a surprise for the Colts to give up one of their depth guards as bait, possibly C Josh Andrews. In return, it’s likely that the Raiders won’t give up much besides Carr other than a future late-round selection.

The Colts are looking for a future franchise QB; Derek Carr fits the mold and has the potential to lead the team for years to come.