Five-year NFL defensive back Karl Joseph has signed a new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Joseph, a former first-round pick, spent last season with the Cleveland Browns. Joseph was the first safety selected in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The #Raiders have now signed back Karl Joseph, their former first-rounder. https://t.co/voKCv0AwSA
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2021
Karl Joseph, Las Vegas Raiders, Agree to Contract
Karl Joseph is what many consider to be an in-the-box safety. What he lacks in coverage skills he makes up for in tackling and run defense. Joseph is most effective playing near the line of scrimmage. If used correctly, and baring health, Joseph has the skillset to be a top 10 safety in this league.
Karl Joseph initially entered the league in 2016 as the 14th overall pick of the NFL draft. Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders, Joseph logged 44 solo tackles and six pass deflections in nine starts his rookie season. Additionally, Joseph had one interception and one tackle for loss. It was certainly an underwhelming start to the start of Joseph’s career.
In total, Karl Joseph spent just last season with the Browns. During 2020 NFL season, Joseph started in 8 of the fourteen games he played in. He recorded 46 solo tackles and only two tackles for a loss. Joseph also had one interception and one forced fumble. Sadly, it was yet another disappointing season from the former first-round pick.
The story of Joseph’s career has been inconsistency and injuries. When healthy, and motivated, Joseph is a force to reckoned with on the field. He is not typically someone that will stuff the stat sheet. However, Joseph has a way of being in the right place at the right time near the end of tight games. If he does not want to play on short-term contracts for the rest of his career, then Joseph will need to prove he can stay healthy for the entire length of a season.
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