The 5 Most Important NFL QB Battles

Manziel Hoyer
Derek Carr
June 17 2014 Alameda CA USA Oakland Raiders quarterbacks Matt Schaub 8 and Derek Carr 4 throw passes at minicamp at Raiders Practice Facility Kirby Lee USA TODAY Sports

2. Derek Carr vs. Matt Schaub

The Raiders traded for the much-maligned Matt Schaub, who was jettisoned from Houston after a disastrous 2013 season. Schaub, too, has an edge for the starting quarterback job over the rookie Carr, who the team drafted in the second round of May’s draft.

Schaub’s 2013 campaign was his worst season since he became the starter for the Texans. His marks in terms of yardage, touchdowns passes and interceptions were all his worst marks since 2007. Carr has received a lot of praise out of Oakland, but like Manziel, he’ll have to overly impress in order to take the job away from Schaub. It’s more likely Carr steps in if and when Schaub struggles in the early going.

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Sam Spiegelman
Sam Spiegelman is a native New Yorker covering sports in New Orleans. He likes Game of Thrones way too much. Tweet him @samspiegs.