With The First Pick
Fansided

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 18, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 18, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) tackles Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27). Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

In the Box

Joseph doesn’t just pick on 5’9″, 185-pound receivers when it comes to his hard hits. In college, he put 280-pound tight ends on their back. And the hit didn’t come just as the ball arrived, he was running with the ball, after the catch.

He also laid out a few 235-pound running backs, attacking the line of scrimmage on a running play. He’s only 5’10”, 207 pounds, but he brings that hat, no matter who it is. He has even taken on 300-pound guards in the running game and held his own.

They don’t get any bigger than offensive guards on the football field. Not everyone his size can comfortably play in the box but he is clearly one of those guys that can. This isn’t just something he could do in college and can no longer do in the NFL either.

In the preseason, he met Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy near the goal line and stopped him. And Lacy lost wieght to get himself into the 240s this offseason. I put Joseph in a class with guys like Tyrann Mathieu as far as little guys that play much bigger.

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