Arizona Cardinals Draft Profile: Derek Carr

Dec 21, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) throws a pass against the Southern California Trojans in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Looking ahead to the NFL draft next week, one of the names that comes up from time to time for the Arizona Cardinals is Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr.  The quarterback position is not necessarily a need for the Cardinals now but will be in the near future.  Will he be available for the Cards at number 20?  We will find out on Thursday evening.  Draft time is 5pm Arizona time

Carr has been linked to the Cards most notably by ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.  As far as I’m concerned though, he’s just guessing as much as we are.  Yes he is armed with information but doesn’t necessarily have the best evaluating skills.  You ask anyone and they’ll tell you Carr would fit the Cards but at number 20 when you already have Carson Palmer for at least the next year and maybe two years is hard for me to fathom.

Carr is in a lot of experts top five quarterbacks available in this year’s draft.  Many have him as the best quarterback prospect.  He has a strong arm and doesn’t commit a lot of turnovers. He has great down field vision.  This is something a lot of current young quarterbacks lack.  He is athletic and does a great job of reading defenses.

The biggest knocks on Carr is he tends to rush his throws when blitzed.  He also for some reason has a hard time getting up for the better opponents.  This is why some doubt whether Carr is a worthy top-20 pick in the draft.  If you are drafting a quarterback in the first round, you think he can start in the league now.  For a guy who has a tough time against better quality opponents and can get flustered easily, I’m sure that has left many wary.  There is no doubt he will find a job and quick in the NFL.  I’m not sure though he’s right for the Cards at number 20.  If he is still around in the second round, which I highly doubt, then I would snatch him in a heart beat.  I might even trade up to grab him if the second rounds starts and he’s still there.

On a scale of one to 10 with the probability highest at 10, I’d give the Cards a five they take Carr with the 20th pick of the draft.