Oakland Raiders: 5 players with the most to prove in 2019

Derek Carr

There were many who believed the Raiders were going to take a quarterback in this year’s draft as the team prepared for the end of the Derek Carr era in Oakland. Following two less-than-stellar seasons, questions arose about Carr’s ability and whether or not he was worth the $125 million dollar contract he signed following a breakout campaign in 2016.

Gruden and the Raiders have obviously opted to stick with Carr — at least for this season. And though it hasn’t been said explicitly, it seems clear that they’re going to give him just enough rope to hang himself with, figuratively speaking of course.

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Given that following this season, the Raiders can get out from under Carr’s contract with a relatively minimal financial hit, it’s not hyperbole to say that this very well could be a make or break year for Carr with the Raiders.

To prepare for the year, Gruden has invested in some help on the offensive line in the form of Trent Brown, hopefully solidifying the right tackle spot and allowing Kolton Miller to continue his development at left tackle.

They’ve invested heavily in the offense, giving Carr the sort of weaponry he’s not had before in a true number one receiver in Antonio Brown and a solid number two in Tyrell Williams, as well as some solid complementary pieces.

And Josh Jacobs could be a piece in the running game that will allow it to be a threat it hasn’t been recently.

Surrounded by some fantastic weapons, this is an offense that could become one of the league’s elite — provided Carr steps up his game and makes the kind of leaps in productivity he made in each of his first three seasons in the league.

Carr has everything to prove this year and for now, we’re left to wonder which version we’re going to get — the 2016 version who was talked about as an MVP candidate or the 2017-18 version that at times, looked lost and ineffective.