2017 Raiders Draft Profile : Safety Josh Harvey-Clemons
2017 Raiders Draft Profile
Name: Josh Harvey-Clemons
Position: Safety
School: Louisville
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 229lbs
Coverage: Clemons rises from his backpedal with loose hips and agility. In addition, the ability to cover receivers, backs, and tight ends equally resides in his skill set. Also, his coverage area is expanded, . Room for Improvement: Playing fast is one thing, playing hurried is another. Occasionally, Clemons appears too eager, leaving the area behind him wide open.
Tackling: Clemons is a grab and wrap tackler that properly aligned his body to make a proper stop. His long arms assist him in sifting through trash and initiating contact. Room for Improvement: Clemons is not a true hitter. While abnormally large for a safety (229lbs), there is not the resounding thud you’d expect from a player of his stature.
Technique: Lining up over a slot receiver, Clemons knows not to relinquish the inside route. Meaning, he will either stay square (facing receiver) or shade his inside foot. This will allow him a quicker follow into an inside route. Room for Improvement: Clemons occasionally will lapse in focus, causing a sloppy backpedal and bad angle.
Ball Skills: Despite his imposing stature, Clemons owns a nose for the ball. In flight, he will keenly track and time his break on the ball. On quick routes, Clemons stabs his foot into the turf and makes a definite break on the ball. Over the top, his body will act as a barrier to shield the receiver. Room for Improvement: Clemons needs to turn more of his deflected passes into interceptions. Eventually, the interceptions need to occur.
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Aggression: Clemons’ hostility shows up with varying degrees. As mentioned, he is not a thudding safety. Yet, he uses an effective punch to jar the ball free. Moreover, forcing three fumbles is a sign of anger. Room for Improvement: Fumbles aside, Clemons needs to play to his frame. Muscling smaller opponents and laying them out should not be foreign.
Red Flag: On February 18, 2014, the University of Georgia dismissed him from the football team for a couple of substance abuse (marijuana) suspensions. Room for Improvement: Keep behaving. While playing for Louisville, he stayed out of trouble.
Raiders Role: Clemons is a hybrid. This concept is taking over the league. As an illustration, watch Cardinals LB Deone Bucannon. He can cover, but will provide run support and blitzing. In effect, his selection helps Oakland because it will inevitably solve two problems: Malcolm Smith and safety help. Malcolm Smith is stiff in coverage and looks like he’s falling up an escalator. Therefore, teams know this is a major flaw in the defense. Clemons’ versatility allows Oakland to use more exotic blitz packages without fear of being burned. Plus, Clemons projects as a late second/third day selection.
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