Yikes. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler has been busy polling personnel around the NFL on their top-10 rankings at every position, seeking feedback from general managers, coaches, and scouts alike. And of the “nearly 80 voters” he spoke with, not a single one was willing to rank Derek Carr among the game’s best quarterbacks.
Between the top-10 list, six honorable mentions, and two other quarterbacks receiving votes, there were 18 passers highlighted by ESPN’s rankings. And the New Orleans Saints’ $150 million man was not among them.
Carr has been on a decline in these annual rankings, frequently appearing as an honorable mention but never cracking the top-10. He was listed at 12th in both 2021 and 2022 but slipped down a few spots in 2023. And this summer there wasn’t anyone willing to put his name on their ballot:
- 2024: Not listed
- 2023: 14th
- 2022: 12th
- 2021: 12th
- 2020: 16th
It’s not hard to figure out why. Carr’s version of the Saints offense was hard to watch last season. Outside of constant checkdowns to Alvin Kamara and the occasional deep shot to Rashid Shaheed, it wasn’t very entertaining. Much of that is on the poor play-calling from Pete Carmichael and mediocre pass protection, but there’s enough blame to go around. Carr just didn’t play well enough last season. He missed too many open receivers and opportunities for big plays and wilted under pressure.
Can he improve in 2024? Of course he can. The Saints have done what they can to help him out. Klint Kubiak is calling plays now and he’s shown a willingness to emphasize the things Carr does well that Carmichael hesitated to embrace, like a heavier reliance on play action passes and more innovative run designs. Pre-snap motion was an afterthought in New Orleans while the NFL’s best offenses were leaning on it hard. Carr’s situation at least looks on paper much better than it did a year ago.
But it’s ultimately up to to him. Carr must step up and prove he can lead the Saints to the playoffs after coming up short last season. We did see some growth from him especially in the red zone once the Saints made it a point to rehearse their reps in scoring position late in 2023. He finished the year with a ton of momentum. That must carry over to a fast start inn 2024. If it doesn’t, not appearing in offseason rankings like this one at ESPN will be the least of his worries in 2025.
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