Will Derek Carr Be a Top-12 Fantasy Quarterback in 2023? Fantasy Football Outlook

When the Saints introduced Derek Carr at his first press conference, he said that one of the primary reasons he decided on the Saints was their interest in him during the free agent process: that and their "explosive" offense. Parts of that offense will be in question as the season begins, given injuries (Michael Thomas is questionable for week one, but he has vowed to be ready to go) and a possible suspension for Alvin Kamara (July 31 trial date).

In his last season with the Raiders, Carr had the 14th-most fantasy points by a quarterback, with 257. However, he also had 14 interceptions, tying him for third in 2022.

Will his new landing spot in New Orleans help propel him into a top-12 fantasy quarterback this season? Let's take a look!

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Will Derek Carr Be a Top-12 Fantasy Quarterback in 2023?

Derek Carr and Chris Olave's partnership has the potential to lead to a successful offensive season for Carr and the Saints. While Michael Thomas's return to the Saints has been the running narrative, the duo of Carr and Olave generated a lot of buzz during mini-camp.

Kevin Patra of NFL.com said about the dynamic duo: "Carr's tendency to look for deep shots plays well with the Saints' targets. Olave led all players with 14.2 air yards per target last season, per Next Gen Stats (min 100 targets). "

Another offensive weapon to keep an eye on is Rashid Shaheed. In his rookie season with New Orleans, he had 28 catches for 488 yards, scored three touchdowns, and had 20 punt returns for 193 yards. PFF lists him as a potential breakout star this season for the Saints. 

A.T. Perry could be a sneaky, third wide-receiving candidate. While at Wake Forest, Perry caught 171 passes for 2,662 yards and 11 touchdowns. He had at least 1,000 receiving yards in his final two seasons and over 10 touchdowns.

What is the Potential for the Saints' Offense to Propel Carr Into the Top 12?

The 2023 PFF Offensive Line Rankings have the Saints' offensive line ranked 24 out of 30. However, if healthy, this offensive unit has shown they can dominate opponents. Coached by one of the most respected O-line coaches, Doug Marrone, this team has as much talent as any other up front.

Derek Carr has put up good numbers against most teams he's faced in his career, but good numbers haven't always translated to wins. With the weapons surrounding him and a young offensive line ready to step up and prove themselves, Carr could find himself a top-12 fantasy quarterback for 2023.

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