On Tuesday, the Raiders placed second-round draft pick Obi Melifonwu on the Injured Reserve. He is set to miss at least the first eight weeks of the season, but what does that mean for the defense?
In the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft the Raiders selected Obi Melifonwu, a safety out of UConn. One season removed from drafting Karl Joseph in the first round, Melifonwu was likely targeted to replace Reggie Nelson down the road.
There is no doubt that Melifonwu is a physical specimen. Listed at 6-foot-4 and 224 pounds, he has the size to be an enforcer, with the ability to really lay the wood. He also has good speed for his size, as he ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine. If he can add some finesse to his clear physical prowess and good instincts, he could be a top-tier safety within a couple of seasons.
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The most important part of the growth of any rookie is getting meaningful game time. Unfortunately, Melifonwu will miss the first eight games of the season, at the very least. News broke on Tuesday stating that he had knee surgery, and has been placed on the IR. This is a very tough break for a promising player, and the already weak Raiders defense, but what are the implications of his loss?
First and foremost, it delays his growth as a player. As mentioned, game time is really the only way a young player can improve. Training camp is one thing, but it pales in comparison to going through the motions on the field in real-time. Melifonwu will unfortunately miss his first eight games as a Raider, which means his growth will stagnate.
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Secondly, Sean Smith will play a bigger role in the defense, and it may be detrimental. Melifonwu was the key to solving the Raiders’ incredible issue with guarding tight ends. His ability to play both money linebacker and safety was set to be vital in the growth of the defense as a whole. He is a solid tackler and more than capable in coverage, that combination is something the Raiders lacked last season.
Unfortunately, with the loss of Melifonwu it opens the door for Smith to finalize his switch to becoming a money-backer. Smith had a horrific season last year, getting beat week in week out by receivers. In training camp the Raiders staff tinkered with switching him to linebacker to solve the issue of covering tight ends. It is clear Smith looks like a fish out of water covering speedy receivers, perhaps he will fare better against tight ends, or perhaps it will be time to cut ties.
Finally, and in a more positive light, it means Shalom Luani will see more action. Luani, drafted in the seventh round, made the 53-man roster after an impressive preseason. With Melifonwu in the fold, it seemed that Luani will only see time on special teams. But with the loss of Melifonwu, he should see more action than anticipated. The Washington State product is now third on the depth chart behind Joseph and Nelson.
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The loss of Melifonwu hurts, no doubt about it. But there is still optimism that can be taken from the situation. He will not be rushed back into action and will be given ample time to make a full recovery. It gives another promising player in Luani a chance to improve. And possibly, it may finally prove that the Raiders need to make some more signings for the defense. The season is right around the corner, let’s get excited Raider Nation!