Oakland Raiders: Patience runs out with Obi Melifonwu
The Oakland Raiders waived safety Obi Melifonwu before his second season in the league. What led up to the 24-year-old’s departure?
At the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Obi Melifonwu out of UConn emerged as a workout warrior, but he underwent knee and hip surgeries in a four-to-five month span and couldn’t stay on the field during his rookie season with the Oakland Raiders.
General manager Reggie McKenzie doesn’t hastily part ways with his draft picks. Yet, since head coach Jon Gruden walked in the door the team has traded 2016 second-rounder Jihad Ward.
On Thursday, he then waived Melifonwu, a 2017 second-rounder, per ESPN’s Field Yates:
Source: the Raiders have waived/injured DB Obi Melifonwu, their 2017 second round pick.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 23, 2018
Melifonwu had a late start to the offseason program recovering from hip surgery but eventually participated in a few practices until he experienced more complications stemming from the procedure. He went to see a specialist, per Tafur:
I'm told #Raiders safety Obi Melifonwu is seeing a specialist today regarding his "lower body" injury that's held him out the last week. There's some concern that it could be tied to last year's season-ending hip surgery.
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 14, 2018
There’s no word on the conclusion from Melifonwu’s visit, but the Raiders took the initiative and decided to move forward without him. Along with his injuries, the new coaching staff questioned his passion for the game, per Tafur of The Athletic
"Obi Melifonwu is a question mark, as much for this staff as he was last year’s. Where does he fit in? Is he a ‘loves football’ guy that you always hear coaches talking about?"
That’s not a good sign for an oft-injured player yet to show much through the regular season or offseason. It’s one thing to have an unfortunate rash of injuries, but no one should be able to question your love for the game. The passion to compete comes naturally and exudes a player once they step on the field. It’s troubling both regimes didn’t see that from the 24-year-old.
Melifonwu came into the league with all the desirable measureables and combine results for an NFL safety. He’s 6-4, 224 pounds, ran a 4.40-second 40-yard time, leaped for a 44-inch vertical and logged a 141-inch broad jump. He recorded 349 total tackles, eight interceptions and 16 pass breakups at Connecticut.
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McKenzie likely fell in love with those physical tools and a solid collegiate resume, but the former Husky couldn’t translate it into production on the professional level.
The Raiders didn’t have Melifonwu slated to start, so the defense loses a rotational player at best. Gruden liked what he saw from safety Erik Harris during the offseason, he could continue to see more opportunities during the regular season. Karl Joseph, Marcus Gilchrist and Reggie Nelson remain as key components at the position.