Derek Carr world tour thread (updated with combine visits)
So why hasn't he signed with the Saints?
Is he hoping that the more teams that show a really serious interest the higher the contract he can get with the Saints? But it will take more than interviews--it will take offers to hike up the price tag.
Or is he hoping that another team, which he views as more attractive, will make an offer so he doesn't have to go to the Saints?
And here's the real story. There are perhaps 10 teams in the league that really need a quarterback. Houston and Indianapolis seem intent on drafting in the top four four picks (perhaps the top two picks) a quarterback, and it's possible that one or two other teams are looking to draft really high a quarterback. That still leaves six or so teams that badly need a quarterback. For those who think that Carr is a legitimate top 12 quarterback, why aren't teams other than the Saints and Jets showing a serious interest? The relative lack of interest indicates how most NFL teams grade him.
I see 8 teams that need a QB: Indy, Hou, Car, Jets, Raiders, Saints, Atl and TB. I´m not counting Washington since I believe they want to take a look at Sam Howell this year. Tennesee will probably be looking to move on from Tannehill next year, and they can still try and groom Willis.
Out of those 8 teams, Indy, Hou, are locks to take rookie QBs, and the third and fourth best could potentially be taken in the top 10 draft positions. In that case, Atl, Raiders and Car could potentially be looking at a rookie 1st round QB as well. You have to eliminate the Raiders from the "Carr sweepstakes" no matter what.
By this logic, the only teams that could really be interested in Carr (because they are not in range to draft a top tier rookie QB) are the Saints, Jets and Bucs.
So the market kind of checks out. Carolina could just be doing this to drive the price up for the Saints, I don´t see why they would be interested in Carr with a top 10 draft choice in their pocket and draft capital to move up.
And there is still the probability that Rodgers and Jackson get traded.
If the Saints are smart, they know that Carr doesn´t really have much of a market and they are offering him a team friendly deal, hence the hold up by Carr.