The Oakland Raiders finished up their 2019 NFL Draft first round by grabbing the best safety the draft class had to offer. Here is the grade.
Jonathan Abram is the newest starting safety for the Oakland Raiders after being selected 27th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 5’11 205lb safety from Mississippi State is a surefire starter for the Raiders with a high ceiling. He runs a 4.4, but where he really really shines is in his tackling.
He totaled 99 tackles for the Bulldogs in 2018, with a whopping 9 tackles for loss and 3 sacks. The Columbia, MS native also had 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble in 2018.
Abram has been praised for his leadership by multiple NFL executives. He is a leader who leads by example, as well as vocally. I’m lucky enough to live in Mississippi, and know a lot of Mississippi State fans. I reached out to one to ask about Abram, and he said, “He’s Eric Berry.”
If that’s true, Raider Nation just got a good one.
Why This Pick Makes Sense
The Raiders need help on the defensive side of the ball. They were bottom 5 in almost every statistical category, and frankly, need help at every position. Jonathan Abram helps from a talent perspective immediately, but this pick makes the most sense when it comes to culture. The Raiders are in reload/rebuild mode, and culture is key to this start.
Abram will help build the culture and physical identity that the Raiders defense has needed for quite some time.
Why This Helps The Team
I can keep going on about how this is a culture building pick, as well as a talent pick, but let me put it like this. Jonathan Abram has the tackling ability of a Karl Joseph, but is taller.
I don’t know what that means for the future of Karl Joseph, who was rumored to be on the trade block last year, but what I do know, is that Abram will bring a high motor to the Raiders defense, who is desperate need of an influx of talent.