Karl Joseph, Gareon Conley aware they could be traded before NFL deadline

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OAKLAND -- The Raiders already have traded two former first-round draft picks in the last eight weeks. Edge rusher Khalil Mack (2014) was shipped to the Chicago Bears on Sept. 1, and wide receiver Amari Cooper (2015) was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday afternoon.

Two more of general manager Reggie McKenzie’s top picks could be moved before Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. Safety Karl Joseph (2016) and cornerback Gareon Conley reportedly are being shopped, as the Raiders continue to build the roster as coach Jon Gruden sees fit.

It’s possible that both guys have played their last game in Silver and Black. Joseph returned from a five-week layoff caused by a hamstring strain, and played extensive snaps with Reggie Nelson as a healthy scratch.

Conley played most every snap as an outside cornerback, and had a solid game despite giving up a touchdown catch.

Athletes are good at tuning out noise during a season, but they’re also human. Joseph, for one, knows the Raiders are looking to trade him this week and admits all the talk is difficult to ignore.

“It is, to be honest with you,” Joseph said. “I would be lying if I said I don’t hear it. It’s all out there and I know it, but I can’t control that. I just have to let God handle it. I’ve been saying that to myself and everybody who asks me about this. I trust God, and I’m going focus on what I can control.

"I can control how I prepare, how I practice and how I play. I don’t make decisions on where I’m going to play. That’s up to someone else right now.”

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Conley is taking a similar tact.

“I control what I can control,” he said. “I don't know about none of that.”

Gruden said earlier this week that he didn’t plan on trading anyone else, but that plans change based upon conversations and changing trade offers. He didn’t anticipate trading Cooper until the Cowboys ponied up a first-round pick on Monday morning.

The Raiders could move on from Joseph and Conley and a few veterans (cornerback Rashaan Melvin, for example) who haven’t fit in well with what the team is doing.

“I don’t see us making any more trades,” Gruden said Wednesday. “I didn’t see us making a trade the other day. I really didn’t. Sometimes, like I said, your plans change, whether you like it or not. You don’t know who is calling or what they’re going to say. You really don’t. That does in all phases of life. I don’t see us making any more trades, but I’ll never say never again to anybody.”

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