Las Vegas Raiders pre-2021 NFL Draft position review: Safety
By Nick Bailey
Las Vegas Raiders pre-2021 NFL Draft position review: Safety
Johnathan Abram
As one of the first-round picks that the Raiders got from the Khalil Mack trade, Abram was supposed to be the next great Raiders defensive back. He even got gifted the number 24 by Jon Gruden showing his confidence in the young player.
He started his first game in 2019 against the Denver Broncos, and excited Raider Nation making plays, flying around the field, and making big hits.
Unfortunately, one of his hits broke his collarbone, and he missed the rest of his rookie season. Coming into the 2020 season, he was supposed to be healthy and ready to improve on the field, but his season was marred with a couple of game-changing plays that ultimately helped cost the Raiders their season. The most egregious one being the second game against the Kansas City Chiefs, when he left his assignment to chase a scrambling Patrick Mahomes leaving All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce wide open for the game-winning touchdown.
Everybody, including Abram, would tell you, yes he has to play better, but don’t let a couple mistakes overshadow all of the good he did accomplish on what was actually pretty much the first full season of his career. Playing in Gus Bradley’s system will do wonders for Abram limiting his responsibilities, leaving him closer to the box, and he will get much better instructions from coaches like Ron Milus and Gus Bradley.