Raiders' Mayock: Derek Carr is 'the least of our problems'

Oakland Raiders general manager Mike Mayock delivered a vote of confidence Thursday to quarterback Derek Carr, stymieing rumors the franchise could be preparing to draft his replacement.

"He's a starting quarterback in the NFL," Mayock told Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "He can make every throw. We've got to do a better job of protecting him and giving him weapons. He played with two rookie tackles last year. we need to get more speed on offense. We need to be more dynamic. Derek Carr, at this point, is kind of the least of our problems."

Mayock said a month ago that he needed to study Carr before determining whether he was fit to be the Raiders quarterback of the future.

The 27-year-old pivot threw for 4,049 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 picks in 2018. He struggled throughout the season to make plays downfield, a problem consistent for much of his career.

Oakland holds the fourth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft. The class, though, is widely considered weak at quarterback.

Carr, meanwhile, is under contract through the 2022 campaign. The Raiders would only absorb a $7.5-million cap hit in dead money for 2019 if they trade or release him this offseason, according to Over The Cap.

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