Ben Margot

Quarterback Derek Carr, outside linebacker Khalil Mack and left guard Gabe Jackson have highlighted the Oakland Raiders’ outstanding rookie class in 2014, but cornerback TJ Carrie is the unheralded star of the group.

In many ways, the seventh-rounder out of Ohio University has outshone last year’s first-round pick, D.J. Hayden.

Both of Oakland’s young cornerbacks are playing well, but it’s rare for a rookie to do so—especially a seventh-round pick. So fear not, Raider Nation, because that says more good about Carrie than bad about Hayden.

Outside of quarterback, cornerback is perhaps the most difficult transition from the college game, so Carrie’s play is notable. Carrie has actually been impressing since training camp, but he’s been lost in a troubled season and overshadowed by his fellow rookies.

When Bleacher Report presented its mid-season All-Rookie team, Carrie garnered three votes as a returner and, surprisingly at the time, two votes as a cornerback. A lot has changed in the few weeks since then, and Carrie is one of the players on the list who has actually strengthened his case.

In addition to his stellar play at cornerback, Carrie recently reclaimed his role at punt returner. For the first eight games, Carrie was the primary punt returner. However, an injury slowed him down and the team explored other options because he was more valuable as a cornerback.

Now that he is completely healthy and primary kickoff returner Latavius Murray started getting the bulk of the carries at running back, Carrie has become the team’s best option to return kicks as well as punts. Carrie isn’t getting good blocking, but he’s doing better than anyone else for the Raiders in both roles.

Carrie Week 14 Stat Box Stat No. Football Ousiders "Defeats" 4 Pro Football Focus "Stops" 5 Tackles for a Loss 2 Receptions Alllowed 5 Targeted 6 Yards Allowed 26 Yards After Catch Allowed 1 Various

In last week’s upset win over the 49ers, Carrie made several plays that serve as a great example of what makes him the unheralded star of the Raiders’ rookie class. Carrie had seven tackles and five of those were stops that constituted and offensive failure.

Football Outsiders made Carrie one of their stars of the week, noting that he had four "Defeats," which they define as plays that either prevent a first down, are made behind the line of scrimmage or result in a turnover. They noted that Carrie’s day included two tackles for a loss and two tackles that prevented third-down conversions.

Carrie allowed five of the six passes in his direction to be completed for just 26 yards. That’s just 4.3 yards per reception, and Carrie allowed just one yard after the catch on the five receptions.

The stats might tell us that Carrie was good, but they don’t explain why he was good or why the Raiders should be excited about his play. For that, we’ll have to examine the video evidence.

Carrie made a stop on 3rd-and-5 with just under nine minutes left in the game that forced the 49ers to convert on fourth down to keep the drive alive. They did convert on a quick slant that Carrie very nearly knocked away, but the third-down play was more impressive.

NFL GameRewind

The 49ers called a pick play, in which Anquan Boldin blocked Hayden to the outside so Michael Crabtree could catch a slant for the first down. In theory, Carrie would've sunk deep enough trying to cover Boldin to take himself out of the play and Hayden would have fought through Boldin’s block to make the play on Crabtree.

NFL GameRewind

Carrie did start tracking Boldin, but he peaked at Crabtree, only to see him looking back at quarterback Colin Kaepernick. This is the result of good film study and alerted Carrie to abandon his coverage of Boldin and drive on the underneath pass to Crabtree.

It’s worth noting that Hayden also saw this and knew he had to get around Boldin, but he’s wasn’t in as good a position as Carrie to make the play with a blocker in his way.

NFL GameRewind

Had Carrie taken one more step in coverage with Boldin, he might not have been in position to make the stop before Crabtree got the first down. Two steps and Crabtree might have had a big gain with no defenders in the center of the field.

Hayden ended up getting a piece of Crabtree’s jersey, but Carrie is the one who made the tackle. This play is a great example of a young player taking what he learns in the film room and making a key play in a key situation.

NFL GameRewind

After Carrie nearly broke up a short slant on fourth down, he came up with a play two plays later that isn’t in the stat book under his name. On 2nd-and-8, Kaepernick couldn’t connect with his receiver because Carrie and the coverage were almost perfect. The Raiders eventually sacked Kaepernick on 3rd-and-8 and the 49ers missed a 47-yard field goal on fourth down, which ended any hopes of a 49ers comeback.

Again, the 49ers used a tried and trusted concept to get a first down. Out of trips, the outside receiver runs off the outside cornerback and the two slot receivers run a curl and corner combo.

NFL GameRewind

Safety Charles Woodson jumped on the curl route and Carrie quickly closed the gap between himself and Crabtree. Kaepernick wasn’t expecting Carrie to be there and sailed the ball over Crabtree’s head because of the coverage switch.

If Carrie didn’t recognize the route combo or was late getting back to cover Crabtree, Kaepernick wouldn’t have had to be as fine with his throw and the 49ers would have potentially had a first down inside the Raiders’ 10-yard line. Great play by the rookie, and great call by defensive coordinator Jason Tarver.

Clearly, Carrie’s intelligence is serving him well, and as he gains more experience, he’s only going to get better.

With cornerback Tarell Brown a doubt to play Sunday after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday with foot and ankle injuries, Carrie will earn his fourth start of the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. It won’t be his last.

Unless otherwise noted, all statistics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).