At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr will not be participating in throwing drills, according to Ian Rapaport.
This is not an uncommon move for quarterbacks at the combine, who feel they can do much more harm than good to their stock. When you consider the quarterbacks are throwing to a group of unfamiliar wide receivers, it makes sense for them to wait until their school's respective pro day.
Other quarterbacks have already announced they will not be throwing in Indianapolis, including Johnny Manziel, the potential No. 1 pick out of Texas A&M. Carr's decision not to throw is a tad more surprising, with many not on board with him being a top-10 pick. Carr has a terrific arm, but has chose to wait before showing it off. The Fresno State star has an incredible 2013 season, throwing for 5,082 yards and 50 touchdowns against seven interceptions.
During a conference call on Tuesday, NFL expert Mike Mayock talked a little about Carr and the upcoming process:
"I do think that Teddy Bridgewater, Johnny Manziel and Blake Bortles are locked in as, quote, the three top quarterbacks, Mayock said. "I think Derek Carr from Fresno is somebody that people are trying to learn more about, and there's some interesting wildcards this year ... I think AJ McCarron is solid but he's a second or third round quarterback. I think Carr will fit into the end of the first round."
Mayock also talked about the potential of Carr going to the Cleveland Browns with the No. 26 overall pick:
"I didn't love his USC tape in the Bowl game at all but I do believe he's got the arm strength and athletic ability to be a starter in the NFL," Mayock said. " I don't think he's a Pro Bowl-type starter but he's a competent starter. You've got to ask yourself, at 26, are you getting significant improvement over what you think Brian Hoyer is, because if you're not, then you need to move on and get another positional player."
Louisville's Teddy Bridgewater, thought by most experts to be the top pick in the draft, has not declared whether he will throw or not this week. It is widely speculated he will elect not to.