The 4th of July holiday weekend is upon us. And to send you off into your weekend right, we finish out the defense with the safeties. This group, like the corners, will begin this season with two new starters and a previous starter who will now be a backup.
Starters
Reggie Nelson – 10th year
Karl Joseph – Rookie (D-1)
Just like the cornerbacks, the Raiders have two new starting safeties. Charles Woodson has retired. Replacing him is Nelson who led the league with 8 interceptions last season. Safety is also where the Raiders went with their top pick in the draft, selecting Joseph at 14 overall. A nice mixture of longtime veteran and top pick rookie.
Reserves
Nate Allen – 7th year
Keith McGill – 3rd year
Brynden Trawick – 4th year
Allen was the starter to begin last season. Then he was injured in the opener and was placed on IR with designation to return. When he returned, he started four games and was injured again in the fourth game and once again placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He cut before his 2016 salary became guaranteed and re-signed on a one-year deal. McGill is being transitioned to safety where he played much of his college career. Trawick was signed this offseason as a special teams player.
Position battle
Nate Allen vs Keith McGill
Following a career year with the Eagles in 2014, Allen was signed by the Raiders to a 4-year deal last offseason and inserted as the starter. His injuries tripped up his plans and now he must earn his way back. He could see time in nickel and dime packages, but so could McGill, who has experience at both corner and safety. As the team’s fourth round pick in 2014, McGill will be given every opportunity to make his transition to safety. The 6-3, 211-pounder has played primarily at strong safety this offseason as has Allen.
Bubble watch
Dewey McDonald – 2nd year
With both Reggie Nelson and Karl Joseph not practicing this offseason, McDonald has been getting some increased reps, even working with the first team at times. The former undrafted safety out of California PA is entering his third season, but is still technically a 2nd year player. After appearing in 12 games for the Colts as a rookie, he bounced around to three different teams last season, the Raiders being his final stop where he appeared in one game. It’s clear the Raiders are giving him a shot, but he would have to beat out some players who have the benefit of either being drafted or coming in with more experience.
Practice squad
Jimmy Hall – 2nd year
A converted linebacker who the team is trying out at safety. He is a tweener at 6-1, 230 pounds and if he can successfully make the transition his special teams work could keep him around.
The rest
Chris Hackett – 1st year
Chris Edwards – Rookie (UDFA)
53-man roster projection (50/53)
Quarterbacks (3)
Derek Carr
Matt McGloin
Connor Cook
Running backs (4)
Latavius Murray
DeAndre Washington
Jamize Olawale
Taiwan Jones
Wide receivers (5)
Amari Cooper
Michael Crabtree
Seth Roberts
Andre Holmes
Joe Hansley
Tight end (3)
Clive Walford
Lee Smith
Mychal Rivera
Offensive line (8)
Donald Penn
Kelechi Osemele
Rodney Hudson
Gabe Jackson
Menelik Watson
Austin Howard
Jon Feliciano
Vadal Alexander
Defensive line (8)
Dan Williams
Mario Edwards Jr
Denico Autry
Jihad Ward
Justin Ellis
Damontre Moore
Leon Orr
Stacy McGee
Linebackers (9)
Khalil Mack
Bruce Irvin
Malcolm Smith
Ben Heeney
Neiron Ball
Shilique Calhoun
James Cowser
Daren Bates
Korey Toomer
Cornerbacks (5)
David Amerson
Sean Smith
TJ Carrie
DJ Hayden
Neiko Thorpe
Safeties (5)
Reggie Nelson
Karl Joseph
Nate Allen
Keith McGill
Brynden Trawick
Bubble watch
RB Roy Helu Jr
TE Gabe Holmes
OL Matt McCants
CB Dexter McDonald
S Dewey McDonald
Practice squad (10/10)
RB Jalen Richard
WR Max McCaffrey
WR Jaydon Mickens
OL Denver Kirkland
OL Oni Omoile
DT Darius Latham
DE Greg Townsend Jr
LB Cory James
CB SaQwan Edwards
S Jimmy Hall
Loading comments...