The Oakland Raiders decided to strike first at the safety position with the No. 14 overall pick in an effort to add the final missing link to a fiercely competitive secondary.
West Virginia safety Karl Joseph doesn’t bring the glitz and glamour in comparison to previous first-round picks.
Many Raiders fans hoped to land UCLA linebacker Myles Jack or Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson, as both prospects slipped past the top 10. General manager Reggie McKenzie obviously went with the favorable choice, which also fills a roster need.
Critics questioned McKenzie’s decision to select another ailing defensive back at the top of the draft, but Joseph’s skill set flashes exceptional ability as a versatile safety.