Despite Injury History, WVU’s Karl Joseph Is the Draft’s Top Safety Prospect

What’s the best prediction for Karl Joseph’s NFL career? Pain. Whether he inflicts it, suffers from it or just serves as one, each facet provides a glimpse of the type of prospect he is. 

During his collegiate career at West Virginia University, the defensive back’s name became synonymous with bone-jarring hits and big plays. Joseph’s playmaking ability at all three levels of the defense defines his skill set and makes him the best pure safety prospect for the 2016 NFL draft. 

“He’s the best safety in the class,” an anonymous scout confirmed to NJ Advance Media’s Jordan Ranaan.

Unfortunately, the Orlando native suffered a torn ACL on Oct. 7 during a non-contact drill in practice. This setback forced him out of the spotlight and placed him on the back burner throughout most of the draft’s evaluation process. His situation is not unlike that of North Dakota State quarterback Carson Wentz. While the two suffered different injuries, everyone reverted to a wait-and-see approach as both recovered before they could be anointed a top prospect at their respective positions. For Wentz—who dealt with a wrist injury during the season—he returned to play in the FCS National Championship Game, participated in the Senior Bowl and re-established himself as a top prospect. 

The same can’t be said of Joseph. His injury situation still lingers as continued rehabilitation already prevented the safety prospect from running for NFL suitors prior to the draft, and he might not be ready for the first game of the 2016 regular season. 

“He’s going to need to miss some time,” an anonymous NFL executive told CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora. “It’s really on us (the NFL teams) and not him. There’s no patience in this league. We hear the kid would probably be ready by Week 4, which is not a lot of time in the scope of his career, but we all want a kid who can step in and be ready for camp and play Week 1.”

Due to his recovery, Joseph decided against a full workout at West Virginia’s pro day on April 4.  

“I was thinking about it, but actually going through the process you have to understand that sometimes your mind might tell you that you can do it but your body’s not ready,” Joseph told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s David Statman. “I wanted to, but I’m only at five months (since the injury.) I can’t take any risks to re-injure myself.”

Instead, the defensive back completed 19 reps on the bench before shutting it down in front of scouts. 

Organizations should be willing to wait for a player as talented as Joseph—even if he misses a few games in his rookie campaign. When fully healthy, the safety provides an intimidating presence. It’s impossible as a football fan not to get giddy when watching him play. 

If the NFL still made greatest hits compilation videos for mass consumption, the incoming safety would be a prime candidate to regularly appear. 

It would be an understatement to say the West Virginia safety arrives at the ball with authority. Just go on YouTube or Vine for a few minutes, and you’ll find clips entitled “Hitman,” “Karl Joseph Kills a Man in Texas” and “Karl Joseph is a bad man.” 

All of these are true—or semi-true when contextualized. 

BJ Kissel of the Kansas City Chiefs’ official site tweeted some highlights with a few of Joseph’s biggest hits and plays: 

“[Karl] Joseph plays with a fearless mentality & is always hunting.”~ @dpbrugler on the West Virginia safety. pic.twitter.com/sUQshWC5Cb

— BJ Kissel (@ChiefsReporter) April 18, 2016 …

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