2016 NFL Draft Scouting Roundup for Week 8
Sep 12, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; Liberty Flames running back D.J. Abnar (2) and West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph exchange words after a play during the second quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
#8 Karl Joseph, SS, West Virginia, (5’11, 197 lbs)
Strengths: Joseph is a relentless safety who flies to the ball every play. He is one of the better tackling safeties in the country, Joseph accumulated over 264 tackles in his career at that position. He is a hard hitter who is extremely explosive at the point of attack. He constantly is out their making plays, In four games I watched of his he had five interceptions and one fumble recovery he is constantly around the football. Joseph started all 38 games he played in at West Virginia and was a team captain. The defense feeds off Karl Joseph as he was the leader of that defense.
Weakness: He is undersized at the safety position. Joseph is only 5’11 and 197 lbs and with the way undersized hard hitting safeties have performed in the NFL recently most teams are going to have that as a huge flaw when scouting him. He has average pass coverage skills but are not as bad as advertised. Joseph has the potential to be abused in pass coverage against tight ends and taller WRs.
Summary: Karl Joseph is an undersized safety who plays with a motor that is unmatched by most in college football. Joseph started all 38 games he played in and was a team captain. This is a guy you want on your team, he leaves it out all on the field. He is a beast on the field with size limitations. With the way past undersized safety prospects have performed teams may overlook Joseph. I will not be surprised if Joseph out performs my grade in the NFL and I hope he does. He can be a special teams animal in the NFL. A team will be getting a hardworking player and a special leader.
Draft Grade: 7.25/10 which translates into a backup/special teams contributor.
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