NFL draft profile: West Virginia S Karl Joseph, big hitter on the mend

Shutdown Corner is counting down the top 50 prospects in the 2016 NFL draft with a scouting report, quotes from NFL evaluators and a projection where they might be drafted.

43. West Virginia S Karl Joseph
5-10, 205 pounds

Key stat: Had only one interception in All-Big 12 junior season but had FBS-best five through four games as a senior when he suffered season-ending knee injury.

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The skinny: A ferocious hitter with a nose for the ball, Joseph is on the road to rehab after his torn ACL ended his final season with the Mountaineers prematurely. He was invited to the NFL scouting combine, where he interviewed and was tested medically, and the reports appear to be mostly good at this point.

Expect Joseph to be back in Indianapolis for the April medical recheck, and from there teams will have a good idea where this fearless missile of a hitter is and how quickly he can return to the field. West Virginia’s pro day is April 4, but it’s doubtful Joseph will be able to do much more there than cheer on his teammates in front of NFL scouts.

Best-suited destination: Safety play has changed over the past decade with the league’s offenses tending to be more pass reliant, and so the need on defense has demanded that safeties cover and cover a lot of ground. When healthy, Joseph flashed very good closing speed and also the ability to play high and low. So assuming he hasn’t lost much with the knee injury, he’d be best served going to a defense that will use those skills appropriately and not just ask him to play deep halves strictly. Joseph also could be the rare rookie who steps in his first season and sets a tone with his attitude, work ethic and leadership. The West Virginia staff has raved about his intangibles.

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Reason he’ll rise in draft: Although there are a number of quality cornerbacks in this draft, the crop of safeties is weak. To this point, there are no clear-cut first-round options (unless you consider Florida State’s Jalen Ramsey a true safety) and Joseph could make a case for being the top guy when healthy. His rehab has gone well according to reports, and his interviews with NFL teams have cast him as a serious, businesslike, highly motivated player who won’t allow this injury to slow him down.

Reason he’ll fall in draft: Beyond the health concerns, which are not major at this point, there also are durability concerns with a style that appears to border on reckless at times. Joseph is known for his hard hitting, but that can take a toll on a player without ideal measurables. There were only three true safeties taken in the first 103 picks a year ago in what was a poor group at the position, so it’s not every year that we see high picks committed to the position.

Scouting hot take: “At worst he’d be a demon on [special] teams, but I think he can start in our league. We think he’s on the Todd Gurley [injury] timetable, so back full around September. You can live with that.” — NFC scouting director

Player comp: T.J. Ward

Expected draft range: Second round

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