Senior Bowl Spotlight- Derek Carr, QB Fresno St. – 2014 NFL Draft
Byron Lambert, Rosterwatch.com

Derek Carr, QB Fresno State

Height: 6’3″
Weight: 218 Pounds
Projected 40-Time: 4.8 (estimate)
NFL Comparison: David Carr, Tyler Wilson, Kyle Orton, Andy Dalton, Nick Foles

Player Notes:
Derek Carr is a redshirt Senior from Fresno State. He is also the younger brother of infamous Texans QB David Carr. At Fresno, he was a high volume passer who improved each year. Over the last two seasons he produced a rock solid 68% completion. His TD/INT ratios are gaudy- 6.25/1 as a Senior. Playing in the Mountain West, one might allege a low quality of competition. However, as I went through the game films below, I found some tough opponents.

Scouting Notes:

Thanks to our good friends at Draft Breakdown, the following game films can be viewed here http://draftbreakdown.com/players/derek-carr/

Oregon 2012
In command – quick pass game – release looks good – arm strength looks solid- throws on roll – love the pump fake and the subsequent pass in the window @ :47 – almost a little too much touch and lobs it in a bit weak- throws decent deep ball off back foot with blitz but could have stepped in 6:35 – some mobility escapability in pocket – a lot of underneath stuff – reminds me a lot of Tyler Wilson for some reason in this video w/out some of the NFL throws deep digs to Cobi Hamilton- could just be size and playing from shotgun and red/whit unis

Boise State 2012
3:30 blitz – stares down WR throws off back foot into double coverage should have been a pick – seems a little jumpy – like commentator, i think Rod Woodson says – not planting feet and stepping through – steps in to throw at 6:10 an sticks it – but then back to horrible habits at 7:05 – better on plays like fades and back shoulder throws where he kind of lobs it in

SMU 2012
It’s a Margus Hunt rag-doll wreck job and the big Lithuanian GOT PAID- nice TD, back corner fade for TD- becomes extremely skittish in pocket – 7:30 / 7:57 two good throws – still a lil weird on deep ball — horrible decision at 8:30 – horrible interception at 8:50 LB reads his eyes picks him right off- given he’s trying to make something happen 10 min left 4th down 29-10 and taken beating all day – another horrible pick at 12:40 — a few nice completions most of the short variety

USC 2013
Fade route down sideline off back foot right off bat – unsettled doesn’t set feet overthrows deep – avg NFL arm maybe slightly above avg – Fresno just overmatched vs USC – Nice TD throw at 10:33 – reminiscent of his other types of good throws – good throw 12 min mark – a stick throw to the outside – short to mid range—

Utah State 2013
A lot of the same – good touch pass at 6 min – lots of screen type passes to sideline – good deep ball from end zone at 7 min – playing best game I’ve watched so far – finally throws horrible INT at 820 – nice TD fade corner end zone as always –

Boise State 2013
3:45 only three man rush but nice jump ball to front pylon for TD – Nice quick throw for TD at 6:35 – Looks like he’s improved from 2012 – still some of same questions and characteristics – but all improved and looks in control

Rutgers 2013
Throw on rollout like ’12 film. Bad int at 4:10. 10:40 marks caps long steady drive of short underneath throws- that results in cassia Carr fade td. Question is are all the short throws him being PeeWee JV or just smart? Taking what DEF gives him or just product of play calling?

Pre-Senior Bowl Draft Projection:
Our overall impression to this point, is that we don’t see special talent here. Still, we will be very careful not to let another Nick Foles pass right under our noses. The NFL historically loves bloodlines. Even though, David Carr was a disaster- his younger brother Derek comes from an NFL background. His passing statistics are prolific. We do believe he will need to demonstrate more NFL throws throughout the pre-draft process. We aren’t overly impressed, yet- but believe there will be plenty of intrigue about Carr. Combine that with that need for quarterbacks in the league, and we currently project Derek Carr as Round 2 selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.