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Oakland Raiders: 6 Players under the most pressure during offseason program

By Maurice Moton

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 18: Running back Doug Martin #22 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 18, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Buccaneers 40-7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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ANNAPOLIS, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Fullback Chris High #33 of the Navy Midshipmen scores a first quarter touchdown in front of safety Obi Melifonwu #20 of the Connecticut Huskies at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – SEPTEMBER 10: Fullback Chris High #33 of the Navy Midshipmen scores a first quarter touchdown in front of safety Obi Melifonwu #20 of the Connecticut Huskies at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on September 10, 2016 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

S, Obi Melifonwu

Safety Obi Melifonwu comes into this year’s offseason program with similar pressure to Conley except he’s not a former first-round pick. However, second-rounders don’t have much time before they’re expected to contribute as well.

More importantly, the Raiders acquired Melifonwu as a defender who can cover an emerging number of athletic tight ends coming into the league as viable pass-catchers.

The last time we saw Melifonwu, the previous coaching staff inexplicably moved the rookie safety to cornerback in Mexico where New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady spotted him and took advantage of his inexperience at the position and on the field.

Don’t fault Melifonwu for the terrible coaching decision to line him up at cornerback. He’s also had an unlucky brush with injuries after going through four years at Connecticut without chronic health issues. He underwent knee surgery last August, which put him on injured reserve to start his rookie campaign then underwent a hip procedure in December, which ended his year.

However, Tafur dropped an interesting draft tidbit that raises some concern:

"At safety, the new coaching staff is worried about last year’s second-round pick Obi Melifonwu making a contribution. Like, at all. They almost traded up for a safety late in the first round and early second, but then changed course."

Oakland didn’t draft a safety, but the simple thought to do so may indicate Melifonwu’s standing in the team’s plans could hit rock bottom if he doesn’t show the coaching staff something in the coming months.

Next: NFL Draft 2018: Biggest steals for each team

Keep in mind the free-agent market hasn’t been kind to safeties this year. Tre Boston, Ron Parker, Mike Mitchell, Kenny Vaccaro, T.J. Ward and Eric Reid, who filed a collusion grievance against the NFL, remain available.

Given Gruden’s fondness toward veterans, it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he creates cap space to sign a free agent if Melifonwu falls flat during the offseason program.

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