Saints QB catches a new dose of disrespect before 2024 season

What you see is what you get from Derek Carr at this point. His PFF passing grade has finished between 77.5 and 83.5 in four of the past five seasons. Now, I want to be clear, he is more good than bad. His turnover-worthy play rate has never been above 3.3% over that span, and his big-time throw percentage has been as high as 6.7%. But it has long felt like Carr leaves too many plays out on the field.

In 2023, Carr passed for 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions, but he recorded 17 big-time throws to 14 turnover-worthy plays, a much closer ratio. He remains a frustrating player to watch due to the dichotomy of what he’s capable of versus what he puts on tape. - Sikkema via PFF

Carr is ranked as the 21st-best QB in football, according to Sikkema.

He's just behind Kirk Cousins and just ahead of Russell Wilson. 

Firstly, Cousins is in the same tier as Carr. He is not a game changer at quarterback. You can win with him but not because of him when it matters most. 

As for Murray and Smith, neither of them were impressive in 2023. You can argue that Carr had a better season than both of them white clearly, actually. Murray's injury held him out for part of the year, but he was not particularly impressive for a middling Cardinals offense when he returned. 

Smith took a step back from his resurgence year in 2022. He was not nearly as sharp in 2023. 

Williams has not played a snap in the NFL. His physical ability is undeniable, so I have less of a bone to pick with him above Carr, but he still must prove himself as a franchise guy in Chicago. He's got a solid offensive line and one of the best WR rooms in the NFC to help him out. 

The top four are undeniably above Carr as of now. Maybe the Saints quarterback proves to be a Pro Bowl level talent in his new offense under Klint Kubiak, but only time will tell.