New Orleans Saints QB receives short end of the stick in exercise that would completely change the NFL

The New Orleans Saints 2024 offense needs consistency. That starts with QB Derek Carr. He struggled with injuries to start 2023, but his upside flashes in the second half of the season were quite impressive. That being said, his communication and execution with his receivers needs to be on point. The offensive line must take strides, too, but Carr is the engine to the unit.

PFF's Trevor Sikkema does not rank Derek Carr as a top 10 QB in the NFC.

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.

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.

Now, the Saints signal-caller just caught another punch in the gut right before training camp.

Carr drafted as 25th-best QB in the NFL for 2024

Rookies Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, and Caleb Williams all went before Carr. You can make an argument for them, though. As for Deshaun Watson, he has no business being ahead of the Saints QB. Watson was taken 23rd.

Not to mention, Barker Mayfield went 19th. At best, he should have gone one or two spots ahead of Carr in the exercise. Carr went alongside Tennessee Titans QB Will Levis, who went 26th.

All in all, there is no lack for doubt in Carr for this season. He must prove himself under his new offensive coordinator .

Related: ESPN analyst predicts who will win the NFC South in 2024