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 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) talks with defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53). Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) talks with defensive back Reggie Nelson (27) and outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53). Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Big Hitter

His instincts and range take him to the ball right before or right as it gets to the receiver. So when he can’t make the INT, he can at least break the pass up to cause an incompletion. But Joseph’s favorite way to cause an incompletion is jarring the ball lose with a big hit.

He had a lot of KOs in college so when he gets his chance, look for more of the same. Big hits aren’t just momentum changers, they scare opponents when catching the ball in your area. There will be some receivers that drop the ball in his area out of fear.

Back in the old days, opposing receivers that ran routes over the middle lived in constant fear. They knew either George Atkinson or Jack Tatum were ready to put a big hit on them. You can’t play the way they did back then but Joseph’s hits are almost always within the rules.

A big part of that Raiders mystique is being a physical team with big hitters. They haven’t put that on display over the first two games but putting Joseph in the lineup will change that. His hard hits will rally his teammates around him often.

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