Breaking Down What Derek Carr Brings to the Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders certainly took a risk when they selected Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr with the 36th overall pick on Day 2 of the 2014 NFL draft, but Carr fills a critical need for the Silver and Black, making him a praiseworthy selection.

While scouts have identified numerous weaknesses in Carr's game, the prolific signal-caller, who threw for more than 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2013, brings some impressive attributes to the table as well, including a few that could lift Oakland out of the AFC cellar in the years to come.

A strong arm and a quick release are by far Carr's biggest strengths from a physical standpoint, and he has a solid frame (6'2", 214 lbs) to boot. His delivery is compact, and he puts tremendous velocity on his passes, especially when pushing the ball downfield.

Carr's work ethic also stands out, as it is exactly what you like to see from a player at a leadership position. Here's what Carr had to say on Friday night, via ESPN.com:

Me, I'm going to be the same person every day. I'm going to come in ... the coaches know who they're getting. I told them, I appreciate you calling, you know what you're getting. And I'm going to come in and work, I'm going to come in and compete and I'm going to come in and try to make the team better. I'm not a selfish guy, that's for sure. I can't wait to get coached by those coaches.

Carr's speed is another strength. He ran a 4.69-second 40-yard dash time at February's NFL Scouting Combine, and that quickness could potentially add another dimension to Oakland's offense down the road.

However, at the same time, there are some glaring issues that Carr will have to address in order to become the franchise quarterback the Raiders hope he can be. Accuracy and pocket poise are two disconcerting areas of Carr's game. He would be well-served to sit behind veteran Matt Schaub during his rookie season, which appears to be the most likely...

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