Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers are both California natives. They both played college football in their home state — Rodgers at Cal, Carr at Fresno State.
Raiders defensive end C.J. Wilson said the similarities don't stop there.
MORE: Latest mock draft | Draft throwback: Aaron Rodgers | Free agency's biggest spenders
Wilson, a seventh-round pick by the Packers in 2010, spent four years in Green Bay before joining Oakland in 2014. He said he sees some of the Packers' star quarterback in Carr.
“I told him he has a chance to be just as good as Aaron Rodgers,” Wilson told Perform Media on Thursday. “Before he even takes the field, the guys love him. He’s got a way of communicating with everybody and keeping everybody motivated.
“I don’t even know much about being a quarterback, but the stuff I’ve seen Aaron Rodgers do for the four years I was there, I see a young guy like Derek Carr do the same thing. I told him to just keep doing the same thing because he’s going to be a great quarterback.”
After Green Bay selected Rodgers late in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft, he sat behind Brett Favre for three seasons before taking over as the starter in 2008. While Rodgers threw for 4,038 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions, the Packers went 6-10.
Rodgers led the Packers to an 11-5 mark and a playoff berth a year later before winning a Super Bowl in 2010.
Carr was picked 36th overall in the 2014 draft, but unlike Rodgers, he started immediately as a rookie. He led all rookies with 3,270 passing yards and threw for 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the Raiders struggled to a 3-13 record. Both quarterbacks fumbled 10 times during their first year as a starter.
Rodgers won a Super Bowl in 2010, was the league MVP in 2011 and 2014, and has been selected to four Pro Bowls.
If Wilson is right, Carr could return the Raiders to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.