Las Vegas Raiders: 3 things to help Johnathan Abram improve in 2021
By BD Williams
No. 3: Raiders need to bring in better talent around him
Erik Harris is exclusively a free safety, while Jeff Heath is exclusively a strong safety, so Abram would have to flip-flop his spot in the defense when either of those safeties was in the game playing. Abram was also asked to be a dime linebacker after Week 5.
Perhaps he is game enough to handle all of these responsibilities, but in reality, a veteran teammate who can shoulder the load, teach Abram the intricacies of NFL play, and provide that mentorship role will go a long way for the young safety’s development.
Abram needs to hear it from coaches, sure, but to be able to play alongside a great coverage safety like Marcus Maye or Anthony Harris, for example, would allow Abram to focus on the things that he is good at (blitzing and run support) while continuing to improve his all-around game.
Maybe Abram never turns into the player fans envisioned after his first training camp, but one thing cannot be dismissed, however, and that is his passion and hustle, putting his body on the line and playing through many injuries in 2020. You can be critical as a fan of the Raiders, but remember to mention how hard Abram plays, that’s not something to discount.