Derek Carr vs Jimmy Garoppolo: Comparing the two Bay Area quarterbacks

The 2014 NFL Draft yielded two of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL, and both play in the Bay Area. Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo are the undisputed captains of the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. But if you could only choose one, which player would you build your team around? Let’s compare.

Derek Carr

Selected with the 36th overall pick four years ago, the former Fresno State Bulldog has been selected to three Pro Bowls. In 2016 he finished third in the MVP voting, throwing for 28 touchdowns to just 6 interceptions. In four years as the starter in Oakland, Carr has missed only two games due to a broken leg and broken back.

He also has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, and is beloved by coaches and players for his leadership.

After his stellar 2016 campaign in which he led the Silver & Black to a 12-3 record, Carr’s level of play declined for the first time this past season. In just one year, Carr’s passer rating dropped from a 96.7 to an 86.4, and his QBR from 54.6 to 47.2. His health in 2017 and the turnover at offensive coordinator from Bill Musgrave to Todd Downing undoubtedly played a major role in his struggles, but Carr still has to prove in 2018 that he is among the top quarterbacks in football.

A revamped coaching staff featuring Jon Gruden along with one of the best offensive lines in football and a receiving corps consisting of Amari Cooper, Jordy Nelson, Martavis Bryant, and Ryan Switzer, there are no excuses for Carr heading into the upcoming season.

Jimmy Garoppolo

While also a second round pick from the 2014 draft, Garoppolo’s career couldn’t be any more different from Carr’s. Drafted by the New England Patriots at 62 overall, the quarterback from Eastern Illinois University sat and learned behind Tom Brady for three plus years. While it is a blessing to be under the tutelage of arguably the greatest coach and quarterback duos of all time, Garoppolo lacked experience as he started just two games in three years for New England — winning both games.

A trade to the Niners midway through last season gave Garoppolo the opportunity to shine, He started the final five games of the season — winning all five — and proved he was worthy of a five-year, $137.5 million contract to stay in the Bay — a deal the eclipsed Carr’s 2017 deal by over $12 million.

While he is not surrounded by the same level of talent that Carr is, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan is one of the most well-respected offensive minds in the league and knows how to get the best out of his players.

In those five games, Garoppolo threw seven touchdowns to five interceptions and finished the season with a passer rating of 96.2 and a 78.2 QBR. And he went 5-0 with a previously 1-12 49ers team to finish tied with Carr’s Raiders at 6-12 on the season.

Who would you choose?

Raider Nation, trying not to be biased, which quarterback would you rather build your team around?