Will the Oakland Raiders move on from safety Karl Joseph?

Since Jon Gruden took over as head coach for the Oakland Raiders, the team has been involved in a multitude of trades, and one more could be on the way.

Jon Gruden hasn’t shied away from the spotlight since his return back into coaching with the Oakland Raiders. Most notably, trading all-pro defensive end, Khalil Mack, and pro-bowl wide receiver, Amari Cooper. With Gruden’s track record of trading away players that were already on the roster before he arrived, is there a chance that he trades another one, such as Karl Joseph?

According to Robert Mays of the Ringer, Joseph is a piece that the Raiders could look to move on from.

"May’s states, “The Reggie McKenzie regime took Joseph in the first round in 2016, but he doesn’t seem to be part of Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock’s long-term plan. After drafting safety Johnathan Abram in the first round and signing Lamarcus Joyner to a four-year, $42 million deal this offseason, Oakland declined Joseph’s fifth-year option—despite his career year in 2018. Joseph will now make $2.1 million in base salary on the final year of his deal, which could make him an attractive option for any team looking for a low-risk, high-pedigree player to add to its secondary.”"

May’s follows that up with discussing potential landing spots for Joseph, where he has the Dallas Cowboys linked to the former first-round pick.

May’s prediction of Joseph’s arrival to Dallas very well could develop into something. The Cowboys have a need at safety and the Raiders have two safety’s on the current roster who appear to be in their long-term plans.

There was speculation in the later part of last season if Joseph would be traded. Obviously, he was not dealt before the deadline, but he actually played some of his best football during the back-end of last season. He emerged as a quality box safety, who showed the ability to rack up tackles, stop the run, and roam the middle of the field.

Last season, Joseph totaled 48 tackles, two tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and two passes broken up. Even after Joseph’s resurgence in the later part of last season, the Raiders ultimately decided to decline his fifth-year option, allowing him to hit free-agency after this season.

If the Cowboys do pull the trigger to acquire Joseph, the compensation that the Raiders will receive heavily relies on which version of the safety they’ll get when the season kicks off. Throughout Joseph’s short three-year career, he’s scuffled at times, but he’s also flourished as well. Depending on his play on the field, his trade value could be a third to fourth-round pick or a day three selection.