Derek Carr Will Throw for a Career High in Touchdowns
In his second year in the league, Carr threw for 32 touchdowns. In 2018, Carr will break that record and get close to 35 touchdowns in the air. This goal is actually much more manageable than it may seem, let me explain.
In 2015 when Carr set his record at 32, he was throwing to Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree almost exclusively. Don’t get me wrong, those two were incredible, but one could argue the Raiders have more talent at wide receiver than they did then. Amari Cooper is still in town, and will surely be aiming to bounce back from a lousy 2017 campaign. Crabtree is now in Baltimore, but in his place the Raiders went out and got Jordy Nelson from Green Bay.
Add in Martavis Bryant who is an electric receiver that can stretch the field and Jared Cook who has sure hands from the tight end position, the Raiders have plenty of talented options for Carr to throw to. Needless to say, Carr will have ample opportunity to break his personal record.
Also, the Raiders now have an offensive mastermind calling the plays. Jon Gruden is the best coach the Raiders have had since, well, Jon Gruden. If Gruden and Carr can establish a good rapport and Gruden can identify how to maximize Carr’s skill set, the sky is the limit.
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