Atlanta Falcons 2016 Scouting Report: FS Karl Joseph
The Atlanta Falcons could bolster their secondary in the 2016 NFL Draft. Here’s a breakdown of safety Karl Joseph.
The safety position for the Atlanta Falcons can use an infusion of talent overall. While William Moore and Ricardo Allen have made a few plays this season, both have also had their respective red flags that have put the position in jeopardy for 2016.
Focusing on the free safety spot, West Virginia’s Karl Joseph can be a possible upgrade for the Falcons defense. Take a look at the scouting report for the Mountaineer safety.
FS Karl Joseph
Height: 5′ 10″
Weight: 197 lbs
2015 stats: 20 tackles, 2 TFL, 5 INTs, 1 fumble recovery (limited to four games due to season-ending injury)
2014 stats: 82 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 3 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles
Strengths: Aggressive, physical safety which lots of scouts favor. Able to come up in run support and stick his nose in.”Hit stick” type hitter. Solid instincts and able to read and diagnose plays. When in man-to-man coverage, able to get his head turned around and make a play on the ball.
Sound tackler and if trailing the play, applies instincts to make “shoestring” tackles. Plays with an attitude, which teammates feed off of.
More from Blogging Dirty
- 3 Outside the box Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback options
- 4 Landing spots for former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Marcus Mariota
- Building the Atlanta Falcons’ all-time depth chart: Starting with offense
- 3 Teams that will challenge the Atlanta Falcons for Lamar Jackson
- 4 Atlanta Falcons who could follow Mariota out the door
Weaknesses: Lack of height and his weight is iffy as well. Has the ability to wrap up and complete the tackle but doesn’t always apply that discipline when needed. Not the best defender in zone coverage, seems lost at times. Has trouble getting off blocks with lineman due to size.
Liability when covering TEs/big WRs. Slight concern that his size and hitting ability may lead to numerous injuries at the next level.
Outlook: The aggressive free safety plays with a chip on his shoulder. As if he’s been battling height/weight judgment his entire career. While it is a deficiency, the guy brings it on game days. You’ll admire his physicality, his tackling ability and his attitude on the field.
You’ll also be concerned at times if he has to sit in zone coverage and apply read/react skills. Joseph has the athleticism, hard-hitting ability, and the confident demeanor to be one of the better safeties in the league.