Oakland Raiders 2019 final 53-man roster: Safety

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Defensive back Johnathan Abram #24 of the Oakland Raiders during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - AUGUST 15: Defensive back Johnathan Abram #24 of the Oakland Raiders during the first half of the NFL preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on August 15, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
3 of 4
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Karl Joseph No. 42 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game 45-20. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – SEPTEMBER 17: Karl Joseph No. 42 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates after sacking the quarterback and recovering a fumble against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter of their NFL football game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 17, 2017 in Oakland, California. The Raiders won the game 45-20. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Reserves

Karl Joseph

The fourth-year safety’s future with the Raiders has been uncertain for some time, and it likely will continue to be that way throughout the coming season. For now, Joseph’s strong-suit as a hard-hitter works well as a reserve. Chances might be slim, but it’s up to Joseph to prove he’s worthy of potential snaps as the starter.

Erik Harris

Raiders fans know Erik Harris as a familiar face, and he returns after filling in well last season. Harris played in all 16 games last year, starting in four of them. After notching two interceptions last season, he has a chance again to be a reliable reserve behind the likes of Joyner and Abram.

Dallin Leavitt

Dallin Leavitt making the final 53-man roster is surely a surprise result. Mike Mayock noted that Leavitt was a “core special teams player.” Perhaps this was the ultimate reason for him surviving the cut day, but if the move was for depth at safety, its not an overstatement to say that Oakland was not particularly lacking in that area.

Curtis Riley

Curtis Riley started all 16 games a year ago for the New York Giants, tallying five pass deflections and four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown). With the starters penciled in, the 27-year old Riley is a good veteran safety net at the position (no pun intended).

Schedule