NFL Draft 2016: Top 8 Safeties New York Giants Should Target
By Neal Lynch
1. Karl Joseph – FS, West Virginia
Height: 5 feet 9 inches | Weight: 205 pounds | Projected Round: 2-3
Joseph scored a 5.75 grade at the combine, second best among safeties.
A personnel director for an AFC team stated, “He’s a weapon because he can do just about anything you ask him to do which is different than most of the safeties in this draft who have limits. If he gets clean medicals before the draft I think he goes second day.”
Draft analyst Lance Zierlein compared Karl to Antoine Bethea, the long-time Indianapolis Colts safety who’s a three-time Pro Bowler. Zierlein added this about Joseph:
"“Fiercely competitive with immense football character…can make plays in man coverage or play disciplined enough to be trusted on the back. His average size and subsequent durability will concern some teams due to his aggressive, attacking demeanor; however, Joseph is talented enough to become an early starter and high-impact safety down the road if the medicals check out.”"
Ah, there’s the catch. “If the medicals check out”. If there’s one thing that makes New York Giants executives shudder, it’s the thought of drafting another member of the ever-growing IR.
ESPN’s NFL Draft Analyst Todd McShay had Big Blue going with West Virginia’s safety Karl Joseph in the second round of his most recent mock draft.
From WalterFootball, who ranked him 3rd among available safety prospects:
"“Joseph was having a tremendous 2015 season before a knee injury in practice ended his year after only four games. At the time of the injury, the senior was tied for the lead in the nation with five interceptions. He also had 20 tackles, one sack and one pass breakup. Joseph was displaying nice coverage skills to go along with being a physical enforcer and good tackler. If it weren’t for the injury, he would be in contention to be a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. The injury kept him from running at the combine.”"
In 41 games over four years, Karl had 274 combined tackles (16 for loss), nine interceptions, seven passed defended, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. His 76 solo tackles in 2012 were 3rd most in the Big 12 while his five interceptions this past season were 3rd most in the conference.
Big Blue View’s Chris Pflum wrote, “Joseph is a fun player. He just flies around the field, committing instantly and fully to his play. He’s also a very good tackler.”
Karl’s mind-boggling number of awards and honors are too long to list here, but can be found on the WVU Athletics site.
Check out his full scouting report on NFLMocks.com
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