With The First Pick
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Oakland Raiders Need to Bring Back Taylor Mays

By Carl Cockerham

Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Taylor Mays (27) looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Taylor Mays (27) looks on from the bench during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) runs with the football against Oakland Raiders defensive back Taylor Mays (27) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
September 20, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Ravens fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44) runs with the football against Oakland Raiders defensive back Taylor Mays (27) during the second quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Helps Inside Linebackers

Mays’ strength to jam TEs and speed to run with them not only shuts them down but it helps ILBs. Usually, when a SS comes down into the box, the TE is his man. So the MIKE doesn’t have to worry about getting sucked in by play-action and losing him.

The RB is usually his man in coverage when the SS has the TE so play-action doesn’t lose anyone. At Mays’ size, it’s like having a fourth or fifth linebacker depending on the scheme you use. I’ve seen him kill fullbacks and take on guards leading the RB through the whole.

All your linebackers have to do is run to the ball and make the tackle from there. And if he’s lined up over the TE, he’s strong enough to get rid of him and make the play himself. And of course, he’s a big hitter and a solid tackler so not many will get away.

I’m not saying Karl Joseph isn’t good in the box but he’s now where near as good as Mays. Joseph can hit and tackle but he can’t cover tight ends like Mays can with his height. And while he may be able to take on fullbacks, you don’t want to see him take on guards.

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