With The First Pick
Fansided

Oakland Raiders Not Getting Returns on Defensive Investments

By Carl Cockerham

Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Reggie Nelson (27) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders free safety Reggie Nelson (27) stands on the field before the start of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) is tackled by Oakland Raiders free safety Reggie Nelson (27) in the second quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Levine Toilolo (80) is tackled by Oakland Raiders free safety Reggie Nelson (27) in the second quarter at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Reggie Nelson: $4,250,000

When Charles Woodson retired, Raider Nation knew the Raiders were losing a great one. But when the Raiders signed safety Reggie Nelson this offseason, they were confident in him. Afterall, he tied or the NFL lead with eight INTs last year.

But since he’s become a Raider, he’s been a part of why the Raiders are giving up so man big plays these days. You didn’t see that deep balls many completed on the Raiders when Woodson was around. The Raiders drafted a safety in the first round that’s on the bench too.

A free safety making $4.25 million this year while the secondary gets bombed on all day. That doesn’t make sense so he has to pick his play up quickly. All Nelson is doing now is making me miss Woodson and want to see first-round pick Karl Joseph more.

It would have been better for the Raiders still have Taylor Mays than what’s going on now. Nelson appears to have lost a step, decreasing his range and allowing deep balls to go over his head. Unfortunately, losing a step isn’t something that gradually shows.

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