5 bold predictions for Raiders in 2019
1. Derek Carr will get benched
There were a lot of rumors floating around before the 2018 NFL Draft that the Raiders wanted to draft a quarterback in the first round. They obviously didn’t, which leaves Derek Carr in firm control of the starting position heading into the preseason.
There are no guarantees that he’ll hold on to the job. There’s nothing about him that makes him seem like an ideal quarterback for Gruden’s system. He’s got the arm talent to execute his head coach’s scheme, but Carr’s inability to handle pressure is a real limiting factor for his performance. It’s also something that drives Gruden crazy.
The smart money is on Carr to start the year as the team’s clear No. 1 quarterback, but watch for his position to weaken quickly when the Raiders get off to a slow start. His only saving grace might be the lack of a quality option to replace him. Neither Mike Glennon or Nathan Peterman has what it takes to be the team’s long-term answer under center.
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Gruden is still too impatient to just sit idly by and watch Carr struggle week after week. At some point, he’s going to feel compelled to make a change for the sake of change itself. Carr’s time in Oakland is coming to an end. The Raiders will be drafting his replacement in the first round of next April’s draft.