Colin Kaepernick and Derek Carr are similar in many ways. Both are second-round picks, play in the Bay Area, are young quarterbacks and have pronounced strengths and weaknesses.
Carr is a rookie with the Oakland Raiders and has started all season, unseating veteran Matt Schaub in the preseason. The former Fresno State star has provided Oakland fans with hope that he’s the franchise quarterback the Raiders have not had since Rich Gannon, and perhaps the first home-grown answer since Ken Stabler. Despite playing without any weapons around him and a shaky offensive line, Carr has thrown for 2,898 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
All that said, Carr has notable drawbacks. The 6’3”, 214-pound Carr has trouble with accuracy, only hitting 59.2 percent of his throws. His completion percentage ranks 28th in the NFL, above just Cam Newton and Brian Hoyer when including only full-time starters. When Carr gets better protection and a few receivers, not to mention a heavier does of running back Latavius Murray, it’s conceivable he will improve.
The same cannot be said for Kaepernick. Kaepernick, who is in his third season as the starter with the San Francisco 49ers, is regressing. This season, Kaepernick has thrown for 7.13 yards/attempt, his lowest mark since being a backup his rookie year. The signal-caller has also thrown 10 interceptions in 2014, previously tossing 11 throughout his career.
It’s been a tough year for San Francisco as a whole this season, ranging from constant reports of Jim Harbaugh’s instability with the team, to the injuries of NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis, Vernon Davis and Glenn Dorsey. However, Kaepernick received a $126 contract extension through 2020 because the 49ers believed he could rise above the chaos and elevate the team. Instead, Kaepernick has become another huge question mark.
When you consider age, supporting cast, contract and on-field presence, it is tough to take Kaepernick over Carr. Kaepernick is more mobile and has a better arm, but he fails to go through his progressions and leaves too many plays on the table. Carr is already as accurate (Kaepernick is 26th in the NFL at 60.5 percent) without the benefit of Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis.
Kaepernick is also 27 years old compared to Carr, 23. Neither is a sure bet by any stretch, but Carr has more potential to improve, while Kaepernick’s development is further along. After being in the league for four seasons, Kaepernick should have be able to find his secondary reads and know when to avoid throwing into coverage.
The Raiders are inferior to the 49ers at almost every position on the field. Luckily for Oakland, it appears the all-important quarterback spot is not one of them.
