Raiders’ NFL Draft preview: Safety first? If so, look toward TCU’s Trevon Moehrig
The Raiders haven't had anyone adequately patrol the deep middle since Charles Woodson retired in 2015.
To get a better look at the Raiders’ roster and their NFL Draft needs, we’re taking a daily look at position groups. Today’s offering: Safety
WHO’S HERE
Starters: SS Johnathan Abram, FS Jeff Heath, FS Karl Joseph. Backups: Karl Joseph, Dallin Leavitt
2021 OUTLOOK
If Gus Bradley’s defensive system is indeed a Cover 3 that utilizes a free safety in the traditional sense — meaning he can cover some ground and play center field — then that player is currently not on the roster.
It’s a pivotal year for Johnathan Abram. Abram saw his rookie season wiped out in Week 1 with a torn labrum and then had a second season riddled with enough mistakes to overshadow his enthusiasm and the kind of juice coach Jon Gruden loves.
Abram is at his best in the middle of things, not the back end of coverage. He thrives when he’s making sharp tackles, blitzing on occasion, being the kind of player that causes offensive players to put their head on a swivel.
The most notable offseason acquisition was Karl Joseph, whose height (5-foot-10) makes it difficult to hold up against tight ends in coverage but who also does his best work close to the line of scrimmage.
Jeff Heath, who arrived last season via free agency, would also probably be classified as a strong safety although he could be a second safety in a pinch. Dallin Leavitt’s primary role is on special teams and he has yet to show he can cover the kind of ground required to be a free safety in a classic sense.
The Raiders had veteran former first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in for a visit very early and made no move to sign him. Clinton-Dix was primarily a free safety in Green Bay but has also played the strong side at 6-foot-1, 211 pounds. He remains unsigned.
DRAFT EXPECTATIONS
Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Trevon Moehrig of TCU as the Raiders’ No. 17 pick in his first mock draft. (He’s since amended it). I thought it was a fine idea at the time and still do.
Moehrig fits the Bradley mold of a center fielder better than anyone in the draft and is the closest thing to a plug-and-play safety. There’s a school of thought that Moehrig could still be had later in the first round and maybe trading back would be a good idea.
Then again, you know the Raiders. They took Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 when they couldn’t find a trade partner and selected Damon Arnette at No. 19 when most everyone saw him going later. But they were the players the Raiders wanted, so they took them anyway rather than lose them to someone else.
The other popular safety linked to the Raiders in the first or second round is Richie Grant of UCF, who also possesses center-field skills with 10 career interceptions and made a good impression at the Senior Bowl.
Later round possibilities could include Andre Cisco (Syracuse), Divine Deablo (Virginia Tech), Oakland product Jevon Holland (Oregon), Jamar Johnson (Indiana) and Hamsah Nasirildeen (Florida State).
QUOTE TO NOTE
“He still has a long way to go to become a great safety, but I think you see the splash plays that he’s capable of making. He brings us some leadership and some energy that we really need in the backend,” – Gruden on Johnathan Abram
LOCAL OPTION
Jevon Holland (Oregon, Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland)
PRIORITY RANKING (1 to 10)
2
10: Specialists
9: Running back
8: Quarterback
7: Tight end
5: Linebacker
3: Cornerback