Deep dive on Derek Carr

Tashan Reed uses TruMedia’s research platform to dive into Derek Carr's 2020 numbers, including his favorite routes, how he handled the blitz, and downfield throws:

“What jumps out more is his effectiveness on deep shots. He completed 51.8 percent of his go-route attempts (second). He averaged 15.6 yards on those attempts (third) and 10 were for touchdowns (tied for sixth). Despite those numbers, he ranked just 11th in attempts on go routes.

Carr also ranked ninth in yards per attempt on post routes and fifth in yards per attempt on crossing routes, which signals his success on go routes wasn’t a fluke. The Raiders pushed the ball downfield more often (Carr had fewer attempts on go and crosser routes in 2019), but they need to further increase that frequency in 2021. The short-to-intermediate routes still serve a purpose, but Carr showed he can make the offense more vertical.”

Full article: The Athletic