Fantasy Upside
Derek Carr took another step forward in his third NFL season, tying for seventh in the league with 28 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. His 1.1 percent interception rate was fourth in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 200 attempts, behind only Tom Brady, Sam Bradford, and Dak Prescott. Carr also has one of the best offensive lines in the AFC and two stud wideouts in Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree. Only 26, Carr still has yet to reach the prime years for most fantasy quarterbacks.
Fantasy Downside
Even if you factor in the game Carr missed in Week 17, he still only finished 15th in fantasy points per game at the position (17.2). Carr's yards per attempt average was also only 18th (7.03). He was also outside the top 12 in passing yards (3,937) and doesn't have the rushing abilities to make up for that in fantasy (70 rush yards last year, zero career rushing touchdowns).
2017 Bottom Line
Carr is an upside play in fantasy drafts this year. He has yet to produce top-12 fantasy numbers in his career, but he is still young. At his eighth round ADP, it will take a leap of faith for drafters hoping he enters QB1 territory. There are a handful of options available later in drafts we have ranked higher than Carr.