Oakland Raiders: Top three breakout player candidates

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Nov 6, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders strong safety Karl Joseph (42) gestures toward the crowd during a timeout against the Denver Broncos in the third quarter at Oakland Coliseum. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 30-20. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Karl Joseph, Safety

Why is Karl Joseph number one on this list?

Is it cliché to pick Karl Joseph as the top breakout candidate for the Oakland Raiders?

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Perhaps.

However, I think this is something the Raiders are expecting, and reasonably so given the fact that Joseph was their first round pick a year ago.

When healthy at West Virginia, Joseph did a little bit of everything. He proved he could deliver crushing hits as well as get his hands on the football and create turnovers. Were it not for his injury his final collegiate season, he likely wouldn’t have fallen to the point of the draft that the Raiders ended up getting him.

He’s now got a full NFL season under his belt, and no more butterflies. He’s going to be much more comfortable in his role, and I think along with that will come a huge season. Joseph will prove himself a big time game changer at the back end of this Oakland Raiders defense.

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