Safety Help In The Draft?

The Bucs have added veteran pieces all along the defense besides the safety position, possibly they see something they like in the draft? The secondary was poor at best last year and the only bright spot was young Bradley McDougald who managed 87 tackles but only 2 interception. The Saftey position itself only came away with a  grand total of 4 all season. That just isn't enough production.

The Bucs are in need of a ball hawk, a safety that can jump out and make plays. The best possible safety, former Jameis Winston teammate Jalen Ramsey will be long gone before the bucs are up at pick 9 but what other options could there be out there? A few names are Karl Joseph, Vonn Bell and Darian Thompson. All of which have had a 5 interception seasons, know how to be around the ball and put themselves in position to take the ball away.

The Bucs will look to upgrade every position on the roster in the draft and possibly the weakest position on the Bucs current roster is Safety.

Draft Prospect:Karl Joseph

The Bucs could use upgrades at both safety positions as the players at that position were below average to say the least. Chris Conte and Bradley Mcdougald are both free agents this off-season and even though both played well at times during the season, it was just too inconsistent throughout the season. Now this could be due to the scheme which was all over the place and their was no consistency from the secondary coaches who relaying different messages too many times. However, the position needs more talent, it needs a playmaker back there, someone who can change the game.

Let me introduce you to Karl Joseph who is a hard hitting playmaking safety out of West Virgina where he has started every game for the Mountaineers. In his 4 year career at West Virgina, he put up 208 tackles, 9 ints, 10 pass breakups, and 1 sack which is just outstanding numbers. Last season, Joseph was off to a hot start, where he had 15 tackles and 5 ints in just four games, unfortunately Joseph would hurt his knee in practice the following week and was ruled out for the remaining of the season. Joseph before his injury was rated at mid round prospect due to his lack of size measuring in at 5'10 197lbs, but I see a Earl Thomas clone as both are similar size and just have a nose for the ball.

Joseph just has it all as he has range and brings big hitting ability to the table, plus he provides good character as he has been team captain the past two seasons. I think Joseph would provide an instant upgrade at the safety position for the Bucs, and would be that game changer on defense that this team desperately needs. This quote by Tony Gibson, Joseph's defensive coordinator says it all:

“In my 21 years of football – #8 has been the best leader and player that I've ever had the privilege of coaching,” 

That is strong praise for Karl Joseph and speaks volumes on who he is as a man and a player. Enjoy these highlights below.