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 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson during a preseason game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) dives to tackle Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson during a preseason game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Bottom Line

When Joseph didn’t start at the beginning of the season, I thought something was wrong with him. We didn’t see him much in the preseason so I thought his knee wasn’t ready yet. But the word out of Raiders camp is they were easing him in.

I don’t know how much sense it makes to have him on special teams while your defense gets killed. A first-round pick sat while the Raiders led the NFL in passes over 20 and 40 yards given up. Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. is to blame for that one.

Coordinators usually decide who starts unless the head coach overrides. It sounded like Del Rio did just that when he said, “It’s time to see Karl Joseph.” And unless he is too far under 100 percent, we should expect him to play well.

I don’t think there’s any question that he will at least play better than Keith McGill did last Sunday regardless. It would be nice for the Raiders to see Nelson and cornerback Sean Smith get it together to. But Joseph can and should do his part to improve the defense.

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