Derek Carr Scouting Report by Blacker

Derek Carr

Height – 6 ‘3

Weight – 218

Tape Watched: USC (2013), Nevada (2013), Utah State (2013) and Oregon (2012)

My QB Big Board Rank – 5

Positives – Derek Carr has the physical tools to succeed in the NFL. Carr has arguably the best zip o his ball in the entire 2014 draft class, this zip helps him fit balls into tight windows on all levels of the field.  Carr possesses the ability to make all the NFL throws whether it is short, intermediate or deep.  Carr impresses with his anticipation of his WR breaking off their routes and often has the ball out before the WR has begun to look for the ball, this is a testament to his knowledge of the game of football and his general feel for . Carr has more than functional mobility, he moves outside of the pocket very well and keeps his eyes down field and can throw on the run rolling out to the right with relative ease.

Negatives – Fresno State does not exactly play the best competition in the MWC and Carr beat up on the inferior competition. However, when he faced USC in the Royal Purple Las Vegas Bowl, Carr look flustered in all facets of his game as the speed of USC confused him.  Carr needs to work on his progression, very often Carr makes one read before releasing the ball, some of that is due to their playing style but even outside of the quick passes, Carr will stare down a WR as he waits for the route to develop. Coming with Fresno State Carr played out of the shotgun and does not have experience in a traditional pro style offense.  Along with working on his progression, Carr needs to work on his footwork, too often Carr is releasing the ball from his back foot or without opening up his hips or stepping into his throws. This prevents him to getting as much torque as possible on his throws.  Derek Carr also seems to struggle heavily against the blitz, all of his footwork issues become compounded during the blitz often leaving him vulnerable in the pocket and often rushing his throws.  Carr tends to miss on his deep ball (30 yards down field or more) often leaving balls over WR fingertips or 5 yards in front of them.

Summary – Derek Carr has a lot of the tools needed to be an NFL QB, a lot of his negatives can be fixed by simply working on his mechanics. Improved footwork will lead to Carr hitting the deep ball. Working on Carr with looking off defenders and not locking in on WR’s will improve Carr as well.  Carr has all the physical tools and also has very good intangibles has he is a very strong leader and smart player.  Carr would be better set to be drafted to a team with an established QB and allowed to develop for a few seasons.  When I look at Carr’s whole package I see him as early 3^rd round talent and if I was a GM I would not touch him until then.  Carr did have a strong showing at the Senior Bowl raising his stock with scouts and due to the inflation of QB’s Carr will likely end up going in the 1^st round and possibly top 10.

Draft Projection –  Top 15 pick ( QB Inflation)

NFL Comparison –  Jay Cutler

Blacker’s final mock draft.

Hey what’s up y’all this Blacker from Black and Blacker and this is my final mock of the year. I tried to incorporate some of the rumors that I have heard from around the league into the draft. This is more of a representation of how I feel the draft will go. I tried to incorporate some trades but there were 19 trades in the first round last year and I know I wont be an accurate representation of them all.  I apologize for not having the college of each player next to them but there was a flaw in converting the excel file to PDF to typed characters. I did four rounds because after 5 I know most people really don’t pay too much attention

Hope you guys enjoy

ROUND ONE

With the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft the Kansas City Chiefs select….

1 Kansas City Chiefs Luke Joeckel OT

2  Jacksonville Jaguars Eric Fisher OT
3  Oakland Raiders Shariff Floyd DT
4  Philadelphia Eagles Lane Johnson OT
5  Detroit Lions Ezekiel Ansah DE
6  San Diego Chargers Chance Warmack OG (VIA TRADE WITH BROWNS)
7  Arizona Cardinals Dion Jordan DE
8  Buffalo Bills Ryan Nassib QB
9  New York Jets Barkevious Mingo OLB
10  Tennessee Titans Jonathan Cooper OG
11  Cleveland Browns DeMarcus Millner CB ( Through San Diego)
12  Miami Dolphins Desmond Trufant CB
13  New York Jets Geno Smith QB
14  Carolina Panthers Kenny Vaccaro S
15  New Orleans Saints Star Lotulelei DT
16  St. Louis Rams Alec Ogletree ILB
17  Pittsburgh Steelers Jarvis Jones OLB
18  Dallas Cowboys Sylvester Richardson DT
19  New York Giants Tyler Eifert TE
20 Chicago Bears Kevin Minter ILB
21  Atlanta Falcons Bjoern Werner DE ( via trade with Cinci)
22  St. Louis Rams DeAndre Hopkins WR
23  Minnesota Vikings Sheldon Richardson DT
24  Indianapolis Colts Jonathan Jenkins DT
25  Minnesota Vikings Manti Te’o ILB
26  Green Bay Packers Tavon Austin WR
27  Houston Texans Cordarrelle Patterson WR
28  Denver Broncos Cornellius Carradine DE
29  New England Patriots D.J. Hayden CB
30  Cincinnati Bengals Jonathan Cyprien S (through ATL)
31  San Francisco 49ers Eric Reid S
32  Baltimore Ravens Keenan Allen WR

ROUND TWO
33  Jacksonville Jaguars Matt Barkley QB
34  San Francisco 49ers Xavier Rhodes CB
35  Philadelphia Eagles E.J. Manuel QB
36  Detroit Lions Johnthan Banks CB
37  Cincinnati Bengals Eddie Lacy RB
38  Arizona Cardinals Justin Pugh OT
39  New York Jets D.J. Fluker OT
40  Tennessee Titans Justin Hunter WR
41  Buffalo Bills Menelik Watson OT
42 Miami Dolphins Kyle Long OT
43 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Datone Jones DE

44 2 Carolina Panthers Kawann Short DT
45  Cleveland Browns Markus Wheaton WR
46  St. Louis Rams Matt Elam S
47  Dallas Cowboys Shamarko Thomas S
48  Pittsburgh Steelers Terrance Williams WR
49  New York Giants Damontre Moore DE
50  Chicago Bears Zach Ertz TE
51  Washington Redksins Robert Woods WR
52 Minnesota Vikings Jordan Poyer CB
53  Cincinnati Bengals Arthur Brown ILB
54  Miami Dolphins Alex Okafor DE
55  Green Bay Packers Jamie Collins OLB
56  Seattle Seahawks Larry Warford OG
57  Houston Texans Terron Armstead OT
58  Denver Broncos Johnathan Hankins DT
59  New England Patriots Sam Montgomery DE
60  Cincinnati Bengals Jamar Taylor CB  ( From ATL)
61  San Francisco 49ers Barrett Jones OG
62  Baltimore Ravens Phillip Thomas S

ROUND THREE

63  Kansas City Chiefs Kiko Alonso ILB
64  Jacksonville Jaguars David Amerson CB
65  Detroit Lions Dallas Thomas OT
66  Oakland Raiders Corey Lemonier DE
67  Philadelphia Eagles Darius Slay CB
68  Cleveland Browns Travis Frederick C
69  Arizona Cardinals Bacarri Rambo S
70  Tennessee Titans Blidi Wreh-Wilson CB
71  Buffalo Bills Khaseem Greene OLB
72  New York Jets Giovani Bernard RB
73  Tampa Bay Buccaneers Robert Alford CB
74  San Francisco 49ers Sio Moore OLB
75  New Orleans Saints David Quessenberry OT
76  San Diego Chargers Tyler Wilson QB
77  Miami Dolphins Johnathan Franklin RB
78  St. Louis Rams Jesse Williams DT
79  Pittsburgh Steelers Margus Hunt DE
80  Dallas Cowboys Brandon Jenkins DE
81  New York Giants Oday Aboushi OT
82  Miami Dolphins Aaron Dobson WR
83  Minnesota Vikings Mike Glennon QB
84  Cincinnati Bengals Brennan Williams OT
85  Washington Redksins D.J. Swearinger S
86  Indianapolis Colts Tyrann Mathieu CB
87  Seattle Seahawks Xavier Nixon OT
88  Green Bay Packers Joseph Randle RB
89  Houston Texans Chase Thomas OLB
90  Denver Broncos Duke Williams S

91  New England Patriots Quinton Patton WR
92  Atlanta Falcons Brandon Williams DT
93  San Francisco 49ers Montori Hughes DT
94  Baltimore Ravens Jon Bostic ILB
95  Houston Texans Alvin Bailey OG
96  Kansas City Chiefs Da’Rick Rogers WR
97  Tennessee Titans Michael Buchanan DE

ROUND FOUR 
98  Jacksonville Jaguars Brian Winters OT
99  Kansas City Chiefs Le’Veon Bell RB

100  Oakland Raiders T.J. McDonald S

101  Philadelphia Eagles Kwame Geathers DT
102  Minnesota Vikings Marquise Goodwin WR
103  Indianapolis Colts B.W. Webb CB
104  Cleveland Browns Kevin Reddick ILB
105  Buffalo Bills Stedman Bailey WR
106  New York Jets William Gholston DE
107  Tennessee Titans Bennie Logan DT
108  Carolina Panthers David Bakhtiari OT
109  New Orleans Saints Tyler Bray QB
110  San Diego Chargers Ryan Swope WR
111  Miami Dolphins Jelani Jenkins OLB
112  Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jordan Reed TE
113  St. Louis Rams Andre Ellington RB
114  Dallas Cowboys Brian Schwenke C
115  Pittsburgh Steelers Shawn Williams S
116  New York Giants Zaviar Gooden OLB
117  Chicago Bears Zac Dysert QB
118  Cincinnati Bengals Kenny Stills WR
119  Washington Redksins Logan Ryan CB
120 Minnesota Vikings Tony Jefferson S
121  Indianapolis Colts Montee Ball RB
122  Green Bay Packers Khaled Holmes C
123  Seattle Seahawks Travis Kelce TE
124  Houston Texans Everett Dawkins DT
125  Denver Broncos Marcus Lattimore RB
126 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Denard Robinson WR
127  Atlanta Falcons Nico Johnson ILB
128  San Francisco 49ers Ryan Otten TE
129  Baltimore Ravens Leon McFadden CB
130  Baltimore Ravens Chris Faulk OT
131  San Francisco 49ers Jordan Mills OT
132  Detroit Lions Cobi Hamilton WR
133  Atlanta Falcons Tharold Simon CB

Black and Blacker Draft Rapid Fire Q&A

Players who will be undervalued come draft day

Black

Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri- Sheldon Richardson hasn’t gotten as much pre-draft hype as the other defensive lineman in his class. He is generally looked at as a top 25 pick but I could see Richardson going into the top 10 this year. Many people, including myself, thought that Richardson is better than Star Lotulelei and is on par with the best defensive tackle in this draft class in Sharrif Floyd.
Jonathan Jenkins, DT, Georgia- Sticking with defensive tackles, Johnathan Jenkins was one of many players who saw his draft stock decline greatly after playing Alabama in the SEC championship game. Before the game he was considered as the top or second best defensive lineman in the draft. Because of his versiltlity to lineup as a 1-3 in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme he should remain in the first round possibly in the top 25.
Cornelius Washington, ILB/DE, Georgia- Cornelius Washington is one of my favorite sleepers coming out of this year’s draft. His size and athleticism is something that has some scouts talking and after watching some games of his, he really stood at more than one would thought, especially on a defense that already consisted of other great defensive players like the two Jenkins and Ogletreee. He is projected to be a mid-round pick this year but I feel like whichever team can get him in the 3rd round will be getting a steal.

Blacker

DaMontre Moore DE/OLB Texas A&M – He had a poor combine showing and he also had a poor showing at his pro day ,the 4.95 40 is not impressive. However, I believe this is a case of scouts looking to far into his numbers and forgetting about the havoc Moore caused in the SEC last year.  When you watch the tape Moore makes plays, he has a high motor, is versatile as a 43 DE and a 34 OLB, as well as anchors well in the run game.  Moore should be a first round draft pick but his poor showing could cost him the first round pick.  Regardless, whatever team grabs him in the 2^nd round will be gaining a steal and a talented threat coming off the edge.

Players who will be overvalued come draft day

Black
Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery, DE/OLB, LSU- I have never been a big fan of Mingo and Montgomery. He is small and was constantly bullied by some of the SEC’s offensive lineman. Luke Joeckel bullied both of these guys in the LSU/Texas A&M match up this past season, and at times their presence was just not felt at all.
T.J. McDonald, S, USC- I know McDonald is being projected as a 3rd to 4th round pick but in my opinion he should not even be looked at until the later rounds on the third day or shouldn’t even be selected in the at all. McDonald is the next Taylor Mays, a USC player who gets overvalued and falls flat once he reaches the Pros. He was the mastermind behind most of the USC defensive woes and his game against Oregon was probably the worst safety performance I’ve ever seen from a college safety.

Blacker

The trend in the recent years for the NFL is to reach for a QB that think can turn around the team’s fortunes. I don’t think that we see any deviation from the trend here. I expect Geno Smith, EJ Manuel and/or Ryan Nassib, to be highly overvalued come draft day. Especially if a team like Jacksonville decides to take Geno at 2. That would set off a domino effect and teams like Buffalo, Arizona, New York and Philadelphia could become desperate and reach for Manuel or Nassib.  I am a firm believer that none of the aforementioned QB’s warrant a first round selection but the need for an elite signal caller could lead to those 3 QBs to be overvalued.

 

Player who sneaks into the 1st round

Black
EJ Manuel, QB, Florida State- Manuel is my favorite quarterback prospect coming out of this year’s draft, his had a good week at the senior bowl in the eyes of many scouts despite many reports by “Draft Experts” (I’m looking at you Mayock), and he has gained some draft stock momentum in recent weeks. I could see him going in the bottom of the first to a team that trades back up into the first round to nab one a QB.

Blacker

Dj Hayden CB Houston – The kid has an amazing story, almost died in practice due to a tear in his heart. Comes back from the near death experience and runs a 4.3 40.  Hayden also faced off against talented WR Quinton Patton and shut him down. Hayden posses prototypical CB size at 5’11 191. Personally I don’t see anything that makes Hayden any more special than other CB’s like Trufant, Millner or Rhodes but scouts and NFL GM’s like him and love the story and that should be enough to push him to the late first.

 

Player who slip in the draft

Black
Keenan Allen, WR, California- As much as I love Keenan Allen as a prospect, his stock has dramatically decreased since early January. His knee injury kept him out of the scouting combine in February and when he was finally able to run at his Pro Day, he only ran a 4.7. Scouts had already questioned his speed as there times where faster defensive backs easily caught Allen from behind.

Blacker

Bjorn Werner DE Florida  State, – Jarvis Jones will fall due to health concerns but also they should be picked right about where they belong.  Werner is a top 15 talent and the best pure 43 DE in the draft but with Tampa trading the pick for Revis and the possibility of the Titans taking OL help. Every other pick after that has other needs than a 43 DE. IF teams decide to draft by need and not BPA, Werner could take a spill to the 20’s.

Blacker’s Post Combine Mock Draft – 1st round

What’s up y’all this Blacker and this is my Post combine mock draft. Hope you guys enjoy reading my rambling nonsense.

 

1. Kansas City – Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M – Andy Reid loves his OL men, this pick might have been a QB like  Geno Smith or Tyler Wilson if KC did not trade for Alex Smith.  KC also just released OT Eric Winston which should all but guarantee that Joeckel or another OT like Fisher will be the top pick.  If  the QB position gets inflated this draft KC may try to trade down but for the sake of this draft there will be no trades.
2. Jacksonville – Dion Jordan OLB/ DE – Jacksonville needs pass rush ability. Dion Jordan brings exactly that to the table at 6 ft 6 248 he is a physical specimen. Jordan can play your typical 43 DE or could stand up and be a rush LB in the 34 or even play SAM in the 43. Jordan isn’t the most polished prospect, he has a lean frame and that could hurt him if he is a 43 DE.
3. Oakland – Shariff Floyd DT Florida– I nearly put Star Lotulelei in this slot but Star has a heart condition that is still an enigma.  Floyd is a good DT who presents pass rush ability as well as run stopping ability with a high motor. My own honest assessment is to have him in the 2^nd round as I do not see anything remarkably special with him. However, after a very impressive combine Floyd is being predicted as one of the fastest riser in the draft and I feel that you could see him gone in the top 10 of the draft.
4. Philadelphia – Eric Fisher OT Central Michigan – Drafting Fisher would allow Philly to kick Herremans back inside to G and would allow them to fix the black hole of an OL they had last season. Fisher will be one hell of an LT one day in the future.
5. Detroit – Dee Milliner CB Alabama – The Lions have had horrible secondary play for quite some time now, they have gambled in FA and the draft and it has not paid dividends. This is them righting the ship
6. Cleveland – Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia – New DC Ray Horton should bring along the 34 D. Jones is a good 34 OLB. I am not one of Jones’s biggest supporters but Jones has scary pass rush ability off the edge. Jones has a health concern ( neck) but has been cleared .
7. Arizona – Chance Warmack  OG Alabama – The OL is putrid.
8. Buffalo – Geno Smith QB West Virginia – Geno is not the best QB in the draft and I don’t think he is going to have much success in the league but I digress. Geno possesses a strong-arm and showed off at the combine that he is more mobile than originally thought, he is a hard worker and is very well spoken, he has accuracy questions to answer as well but Buffalo thinks that he is the QB of the future and they ride the Geno train. Plus Ryan Fitzpatrick is their QB….. the only thing worse is Mark Sanchez
9. NYJ – Ziggy Ansah OLB BYU – Ziggy Ansah is raw as all hell, he has only been playing football for 3 years now. However,  Ziggy oozes potential, the former track star shows his track speed at 270 lbs. Ziggy has the ability to play a lot of different positions in the 34. I think he is more suited to rush off the edge but could be used as a 5-tech as well.  Rex Ryan will love coaching Ansah.
10. Tennessee – Bjorn Werner DE Florida State – In all honesty, If the draft unfolded this way, I would think they should trade down. However, I am not doing trades in this mock so we will continue.  Werner is the best pure 43 DE in the draft. He has a high motor and is a great run defender. Werner does not have as high of a ceiling as other players but has a very high floor.  Meaning that even if he is never a superstar he should put together a great career.
11. San Diego –  Lane Johnson OT – Lane Johnson is an athletic OT that will give Rivers the protection that he has yearned for and by yearned I mean cried like a little baby
12. Miami – Corradelle Patterson WR Tennessee – The best WR in the draft. Posses Size, Game breaking speed and consistent hands.  Patterson will give Miami the vertical threat they need.
13. Tampa Bay –  Damontre Moore Texas A&M – Moore is one of my favorite prospects in the draft.  He could play OLB in the 34 but will be a 43 DE for Tampa. He possess a great first step and shows good strength at the point of attack. Moore had a less than impressive combine and that lead to him falling from being widely considered as a top 5 pick. I believe Moore would be a great addition to the already stellar Tampa DL.
14. Carolina – Star Lotulelei DT Utah – The biggest downside with Star is his heart condition. If he checks out with that Carolina could get a steal here. He is an absolute mountain of a man with no character concerns at all.  Stonewalls against the run and shows the burst to create havoc against the pass every once in a while.
15. New Orleans – Barkevious Mingo LSU – Hometown Hero KeKe Mingo stays in the Bayou.  New Orleans need pass rushes off the edge and Mingo has elite ability. He needs to fill out his frame some more but the potential to be a stud is there.
16. St.Louis –  DeAndre Hopkins WR Clemson – Hopkins plays bigger than his size, is extremely physical and runs great routes and always comes back to the ball and attacks at its highest point. Teams could be scared off by his 4.57 40 time but he is faster than that on field. Hopkins also shows the commitment to run block well.  When you look at Hopkins think of Roddy White.  Sam Bradford will finally have his #1 WR.
17. Pittsburgh –  Sheldon Richardson DT/DE Mizzou – Pitt would like to find a Rush LB at this pick but at this point they are all gone, I don’t think they reach.  SO they instead bolster their pass rush from the 34 end position. The surprisingly athletic Richardson could be as high as a top 5 pick. Pitt gets real value here.
18. Dallas –  Kenny Vaccaro S Texas – Dallas secondary is poop. Vaccaro is widely considered the best S in the class. It’s a no brainer here.
19. NYG – Alec Ogletree LB Georgia –He is a top 10 talent that will fall due to character concerns.  Ogletree falling to  a team like the Giants will work out best for him and for the team. There is some risk involved but the payout is well worth it.
20. Chicago – Jonathan Cooper OG UNC – They really want a OT here but there isn’t one worth the pick here. The line still needs to be upgraded and Cooper is the best OG on the board at this point.
21. Cincinnati – Kevin Minter LB LSU – I think this will be the surprise pick. Minter is picked about 5 or 6 picks to early here but Minter is too versatile to not be the pick. He can play MIKE, WILL and SAM and is a very effective blitzer. Minter has the talent to be a great LB in this league and the Bengals want him.  They could also trade down and grab him later.
22. St.Louis – Matt Elam FS Florida –  Elam brings attitude, the penchant for laying the lumber and high energy to the Rams.  Sometimes Elam gets overly aggressive and that leads to missed tackles but Elam is a fringe first rounder and  all he needs to do is impress one team.
23. Minnesota– Keenan Allen WR Cal – The Vikings need someone other than Harvin to pass the ball. Allen has great size and underrated speed.  Allen will help take the pressure of Harvin and Peterson and open up this Offense even further.
24. Indianapolis – John Jenkins NT Georgia –  6 ft 4 346 lbs.  Massive run defending DT and I believe he is the best DT in the class.  Jenkins has agility that you would not expect out of a man of this size. Jenkins is a bit one-dimensional because he is strictly a 34 NT and his ability to play all 3 downs is in question.
25. Seattle – Justin Hunter WR Tennessee –  Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, and an old Sidney Rice. Wilson needs a true #1. Hunter tore his ACL last year so there is an injury concern and disappeared in bigger games but Hunter is one of my favorite prospects because of his amazing leaping ability, long strides and deep speed. He fights for the ball at its highest point and is savvy route runner.  He shows me a little bit  AJ Green in his game.
26. Green Bay – Tyler Eifert TE Notre Dame – I don’t expect Jennings or Finley to be back in Green Bay. Eifert is a great TE prospect who has the ability to play outside as a WR. Eifert consistently challenges for the ball at its highest point and is a match up night mare for LB’s. Eifert lacks a bit in the run blocking department but Green Bay never runs anyways so he will be fine.
27. Houston – Tavon Austin WR WVU – As good as the team is, they really lacked a BOOM threat on O.  Teams knew to key in on Arian Foster and take their chances with Andre Johnson. Tavon brings a homerun threat every time he touches the ball, this O just got a whole lot more scary.
28. Denver – Kawann Short DT Purdue – Their DT’s suck. Kawann Short doesn’t. Next pick.
29. New England –  Datone Jones DE UCLA – Jones absolutely tore up the Senior Bowl and impressed at the combine. Jones is  strong against the run and can contribute in the pass rush department.  He can beat you with the bull rush or he can beat you the edge. Jones could rise even higher through interviews and individual workouts.
30. Atlanta – Sam Montgomery DE LSU – They could go RB here but RB is very deep this year.  Montgomery will help them fix their putrid pass rush.
31. San Francisco –  Desmond Trufant CB Washington – Trufant had a great Senior Bowl and Combine and this pushes him above the other options here like Banks and Rhodes.  Trufant is physical with WR and owns  the ability to be a lockdown CB
32. Baltimore – Eric Reid FS LSU –  This could be anyone in all honesty. It could be a WR, it could be a reach on a OT, it could be a NT, ILB or a OLB.  Who knows if Ed Reed will be in Baltimore next season and even if he is he needs to be replaced. Eric Reid is a good all around S prospect and the future for the Ravens secondary.