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Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Oakland Raiders No. 42 Karl Joseph

By Russell S. Baxter

May 31, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (center) and safety Karl Joseph at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (center) and safety Karl Joseph at organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a profile on Oakland Raiders 2016 first-round pick Karl Joseph.

There are exactly 42 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. In the meantime, we at NFL Spin Zone are going to profile a player each day as we countdown the days to kickoff.

Related Story: Oakland Raiders: Re-signing David Amerson Good Move

A few months ago, we began by previewing the rookie defensive end of the San Diego Chargers in Joey Bosa (No. 99). On Wednesday, it was Philadelphia Eagles’ versatile running back Darren Sproles, who helps the team’s offense and special teams in so many ways.

The list of No. 42s in league history is pretty impressive. There’s a quartet of Pro Football Hall of Famers in wide receivers Charley Taylor and Paul Warfield, quarterback Sid Luckman and hard-hitting defensive back Ronnie Lott.

Jun 15, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) runs at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders safety Karl Joseph (42) runs at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie used the 14th overall pick in April’s draft on the former University of West Virginia standout. He becomes part of a new-look secondary that includes free-agent additions in cornerback Sean Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) and Pro Bowl free safety Reggie Nelson (Cincinnati Bengals). Add in incumbent corner David Amerson and the physical Joseph and the Silver and Black appear determined to rectify their issues from a year ago in this area.

“I’m a dog,” said Joseph (via Gutierrez) after he was selected by the club. “I’m sure all the coaching staff will tell you that. I play with that intensity. I play with a chip on my shoulder. I’m very confident in myself. I play with a deep passion and love for the game. I don’t think there’s anybody else in the draft that plays with more passion than me.”

You may recall that this past season Del Rio’s squad finished 7-9 and showed a lot of improvement, via the talents of quarterback Derek Carr and wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree, on the offensive side of the ball. But the Oakland defense finished 22nn in the league in total defense and only six teams gave up more yards through the air. The team allowed just under 25 points per game and Raiders’ defenders allowed 37 offensive touchdowns – including 25 through the air.

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The addition of Joseph adds a physical presence to the defense and also gives the Silver and Black a little more insurance when it comes to stopping the run. The Raiders finished a so-so 13th in the NFL in this area in 2015, so there’s certainly room for improvement.

These are exciting times for the overdue Raiders, who haven’t been to the playoffs since 2002 and sport a combined 63-145 record the past 13 seasons. Joseph is a young and talented performer who could give the Oakland defense and the team in general a little spark. And that’s something we haven’t from this squad in far too long.

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