NFL Free Agency 2019: Predicting the Oakland Raiders biggest moves

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Signs Early

What type of safety did defensive coordinator Paul Guenther utilize in his scheme while in Cincinnati? Take a look at Shawn Williams (6-0, 212 pounds) and George Iloka (6-4, 225 pounds).

It’s important to note because all safeties aren’t interchangeable. Typically, a strong safety plays closer to the box and a free safety sits back as the last line of defense. He’s the defender expected to play the deep ball and prevent big gains in coverage. Under Guenther, Iloka played both positions, but he and Williams can hit and cover if necessary.

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According to Las Vegas Review-Journal‘s Michael Gehlken, the Raiders will show interest in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

"It would be a surprise if the Raiders are serious contenders for [Landon] Collins, presuming he commands the sort of money he is projected to attract on the open market. An option in the tier of Washington Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is more likely. The team is expected to show interest in Clinton-Dix, 26, when the legal tampering period opens March 11."

That’s not a surprise. Clinton-Dix has only allowed five touchdowns in as many seasons in the league, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Despite his role as a free safety for most of his tenure with the Green Bay Packers, he’s logged 363 solo tackles.

Clinton-Dix isn’t an elite safety, but he fits Guenther’s scheme as a decent tackler at the free safety spot, who’s reliable in deep coverage. Quarterbacks have a 52.9 passer rating when targeting him, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required).

Clinton-Dix would line up alongside Karl Joseph at the safety spot, which is a good pairing for now. At the NFL Scouting Combine, head coach Jon Gruden talked about exercising the 2016 first-rounder’s fifth-year option, per San Francisco Chronicle‘s Eric Branch:

Although he’s listed 5-10, 205 pounds, Joseph also possesses some versatility. The third-year veteran is a heavy-hitter closer to the box as a strong safety, but he showed his coverage range as senior at West Virginia, logging five interceptions before tearing his ACL.

As primarily a strong safety, playing downhill, Joseph has picked off one pass each of his three seasons with 12 career pass breakups. Guenther could use his skill set along with Clinton-Dix to solidify the position.

The Raiders signed Erik Harris to a well-deserved two-year extension. He’s a 6-3, 225-pound safety, who logged two interceptions, seven pass breakups and 36 solo tackles, playing 42.12 percent of defensive snaps last year. Again, there’s versatility in how the coaching staff could use him at the position.

Here’s the bottom line; safeties who are comfortable tackling with coverage skills will draw interest from Guenther. Clinton-Dix’s capabilities suggest he belongs on the Raiders’ free-agent short list. Even better, the 26-year old won’t command a top-dollar salary.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.