With a new coaching staff in place, Karl Joseph was not highly regarded. He saw just 11 snaps on defense in the first six games and was rumored to be on the trade block along with Amari Cooper. The Raiders found a taker in Dallas who gave up a first round pick for Cooper, but didn’t get an offer that had them part ways with Joseph.
At the bye, the Raiders were 1-5 and began thinking long term. That involved seeing what Joseph could bring to the defense. It proved to be plenty as he was the best safety in the division over the second half of the season and Gruden is talking about him as a key piece to the future and the team has opted to pick up his fifth year option.