Lamarcus Joyner will prove invaluable to the Oakland Raiders
By Alex Perl
The Oakland Raiders made a nice signing when they brought on Lamarcus Joyner, who will prove invaluable for the Silver and Black in 2019.
When safety Lamarcus Joyner signed with the Oakland Raiders on March 14, 2019, it was a move met with praise by many Raiders fans and media analysts alike.However, with the Raiders trading for All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown just five days prior, it was a move that went a bit under the radar.
Joyner is not your typical safety, in fact, when he was drafted out of Florida State by the then-St. Louis Rams, he was a cornerback. He has only been in the role of free safety for the last two seasons with the Rams. Despite the switch, he has thrived in his role at this position and was used as slot corner as well in most situations.
Now this is something that has not gone under the radar, especially from the man himself in head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden stated earlier this year that Joyner reminded him of Ronde Barber, a player that he has said could have perhaps been his favorite player to have ever coached.
Gruden was quoted as saying “Joyner is the closest thing I’ve ever seen to Ronde as a slot corner, I think he’s the best.”
One thing the Raiders have struggled with in more then a few recent seasons is the secondary as a whole, especially this past season. Reggie Nelson, a former Pro Bowl safety, was the starter this past year at free safety, and at the age of 35, showed his age considerably, being burned on numerous plays over the course of the year. With Joyner, the Raiders are getting a player with speed, the ability to cover, and tackle. Add in the fact he is in the prime of his career at the age 28, it’s a move that the Raiders desperately needed.
The Raiders have an exciting new core now in the secondary. With cornerback Gareon Conley expected to have a breakout season, after playing his first full season this past year, hard hitting first round draft choice safety Johnathan Abram out of Mississippi State and Joyner, this secondary should be the best it has been in years.
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With the ability to play slot corner as well as line up at free safety, the signing of Joyner is one that seems underrated by most accounts. With the season inching closer upon us, Raiders fans should be delighted to see how he will not only lead this young secondary, but be the most important piece on it.