Can Derek Carr Be A Top 10 Fantasy QB in 2020?
Truth be told, I’m a bit of a homer. I bleed silver and black, but I really do try to be realistic. To make matters worse, in the Raiders fandom, there are two sides. One that supports Carr, the other hates him. I support Derek Carr. So far, this sounds like I am going to be incredibly biased, but trust me when I am trying to be objective as I can and when you see my reasoning, it might make sense.
First, let’s use some context. In 2019, Derek Carr finished at 16th in fantasy QBs. That’s literally as average as you can get for a fantasy QB. The thing that entices me about Carr fantasy wise was his lack of weapons last year. He had Darren Waller, who had a breakout season, as his only consistent healthy option. Other than that, he traded production with an injured Tyrell Williams and rookie Hunter Renfrow, who also missed games with an injury. Josh Jacobs did open up the passing game for Derek Carr, but without more consistent options, it’s no wonder he was just average.
This year, the Raiders have added 2 rookie WRs and a utility knife. They added the speedster in Henry Ruggs III, a testament to Al Davis no doubt. Another WR they got was Bryan Edwards, who Derek Carr has already given him some serious hype. Lastly, the Raiders drafted a utility knife in Lynn Bowden Jr. Adding on a healthy Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, and still having Darren Waller, is Derek Carr poised for a breakout fantasy season?
If Jon Gruden is the offensive guru he is deemed to be, adding all these weapons only makes the Raiders that more dangerous. In turn, that only makes Derek Carr more dangerous as a QB. Last year Carr threw for 4,000 yards, 21 TDs, and 8 INTs, with not a lot to work with. Now, his numbers should improve by some bit and thus have more fantasy value. I can see 4,500 yards, 30 TDs, and 10 INTs at the ceiling of his fantasy value. Sure, it’s a lofty goal, but an achievable one.
Final Assessment
There’s a lot of ifs in this argument, and I do hate that. I am confident in Carr. Give him a team and he can succeed, much like his MVP caliber season in 2016. Derek Carr wasn’t a bad fantasy QB last year, just average, he can make that jump to be a reliable fantasy option. So, can he be a top 10 fantasy QB? Maybe, but I would put him at 10 at the highest. If that’s the risk you’re willing to take, go for it. He wouldn’t be my QB1, but he’ll be a solid QB2.
