Thoughts on Raiders signing safety Karl Joseph

We‘re ending the week with some juice as the Las Vegas Raiders have announced they have signed safety Karl Joseph in free agency. Joseph, of course, was the No. 14 overall draft pick in 2016 selected by the Raiders.

Here are some of my thoughts on the move.

It’s pretty unique:
The Raiders didn’t give Joseph, who turns 28 in September, the fifth-year option and let him walk after four years. They never really made a big attempt to get him back in 2020 as he left for the Cleveland Browns in free agency. Joseph told reporters Friday he never wanted to leave the Raiders. Now he’s back after one season away.

Not the safety we thought we’d get:
This was a pretty good safety class in free agency. The Raiders never reeled in a safety who could likely make a big impact. So here comes back a familiar face instead.

He’s probably not a true starter:
Unless Joseph makes sudden and major improvements, he will likely be more of a rotational player with the Raiders. I don’t think this move alone solves the Raiders’ needs at safety,

Likely won’t change draft plans:
I’d still expect the Raiders to seriously consider taking a free safety at either No. 17 or No. 48 of the April 29-May 1 draft.

Why not?
There’s worse safeties out there. Welcome back, dude.