The Raiders spent a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on safety Karl Joseph, and have given him every opportunity to become a star in the league. However, this current coaching staff just does not see it, and he is definitely not a big part of what the Raiders are going to try to do moving forward.
This season, the tandem of Reggie Nelson and Marcus Gilchrist have started most games, and Erik Harris is slowly becoming a legitimate safety in the league. Still, there just is not enough talent in this position group in 2018, and I could see the Raiders spending either one of their first round picks on the position, or an early second rounder.
Johnathan Abram was rated the top junior college safety in the country prior to enrolling at Mississippi State, and has performed nicely for the Bulldogs in year one. He is a punishing safety, who is also a very vocal leader, and is a guy who could lead this Raiders safety group for years to come.