With The First Pick
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Karl Joseph Can Help Fix Oakland Raiders Defense

By Carl Cockerham

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Tennessee Titans. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

The Oakland Raiders drafted safety Karl Joseph in the first round in May to tighten up the secondary. Sunday against the Tennesee Titans, he will have his first opportunity.

With Charles Woodson at free safety, it was hard to complete deep balls on the Oakland Raiders last year. The majority of his five interceptions came when opposing teams tried to go deep. So far this year, opposing teams are having their way with the Raiders on deep balls.

The Raiders have given up the most pass plays over 20 yards and over 40 yards so far. And these aren’t just a bunch of short passes that went for big yardage after the catch either. The Raiders brought in Reggie Nelson to play free safety this offseason.

And they also drafted Karl Joseph in the first round to give the back end of that defense more help. But since he tore his ACL just last season in college, the Raiders wanted to ease him into the NFL. So he has yet to play a singe solitary snap on defense yet.

In the first two games, the Raiders gave up 1,035 yards with their first-round pick on the bench.  And that prompted head coach Jack Del Rio to tell the media, “I think it’s time to see Karl Joseph. Of, course, Del Rio wouldn’t say if he would start but he has to.

Turn the page to see what he can bring to the defense.

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