Jack Del Rio is high on his Khalil Mack Jersey team's first-round draft pick from last year.
While speaking at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix this week, the Oakland Raiders head coach predicted that second-year safety Karl Joseph will enjoy a leap year in 2017.
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"I think Karl’s going to take a big step forward this year as a player, and his development," Del Rio said, per the Raiders' official website. "Just with comfort and understanding what’s expected of him, coming in and being healthy, havingPaul Kruger Authentic Jersey a full offseason of work. I just feel like a confident Karl Joseph is going to be a much more impactful guy."
Joseph, the 14th-overall pick in last year's draft, tore his ACL during his senior season at West Virginia and was brought along slowly in training camp and the preseason. He did not play any defensive snaps in the first two games of the regular season.
When Joseph was inserted into the starting lineup alongside veteran safety Reggie Nelson in Week 3, his impact was immediate. He racked up 60 tackles (44 solo), six defended passes, an interception and a fumble recovery before http://www.authenticsteelerssale.com/shop-by-players-lynn-swann-jer... injuring his toe and missing the last four games of the regular season.
Although he only saw defensive snaps in 10 games last season, Joseph made the All-Rookie team selected by the Pro Football Writers of America after the 2016 season.
The Raiders need Joseph to have a huge season in 2017. Oakland's defense ranked 26th in the NFL last season and struggles in the secondary were largely to blame. The unit allowed 61 pass plays of 20-plus yards and 16 pass plays http://www.authenticsteelersshop.com/shop-by-players-jesse-james-je... of 40-plus yards (both league highs).
A breakout year for Joseph would help the Raiders improve on defense overall.