Taylor Mays finally finds a role with Oakland Raiders

Nov 22, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Taylor Mays (27) tackles Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Contrary to what most in Raider Nation believe, it was a good idea for the Oakland Raiders to add safety Taylor Mays. He’s still young and can be developed into a great strong safety like a Kam Chancellor. With all that speed, he could cover tight ends down the field and his hitting power could be used in the box.

His career just never took off because he was misused as a free safety, a position he doesn’t have the instincts for. He can rattle your skeleton with a hit but he’s also not the sure tackler in space a free safety needs to be. And sure enough, the first thing the Raiders do when they get him is put him at free safety.

Then after they cut him and brought him back so many times, Mays finally seems to carved out a role on the team. Earlier in the season the Raiders were having trouble covering tight ends as they ate the Raiders up on third down. Neiron Ball, a backup linebacker was then given the role to come in third down and in worked like a charm.

But he has been injured for the last few weeks and the Raiders had to find someone to do the job. Backup linebacker Ben Heeny tried and regular strong safety Charles Woodson has a bad shoulder so he’s playing more free safety these days. And as good as Nate Allen is as a roaming free safety, covering tight ends isn’t his strength as Delanie Waker had his way with him.

Then they brought Mays in to cover Walker toward the end of the game and he did well with a pass defensed. Woodson and Allen are definitely the Raiders safeties but Mays now has a role. Covering tight ends is a big part of a strong safety’s job and you know he can play in the box.

And his current role looks like a step toward becoming the next strong safety when Woodson retires.