Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Players under pressure heading into OTAs
Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Players under pressure heading into OTAs
Johnathan Abram
So far, Johnathan Abram hasn’t really had the career that he or Las Vegas expected. After missing his entire rookie season after Week 1 in 2019 with a shoulder injury, many were excited to see Abram perform as the starter in 2020.
With it being essentially his rookie season, Abram struggled to stay on assignment and to stay healthy.
The issue with Abram’s struggles and growing pains is that they cost the team often. One of the most notable blunders came during Las Vegas’ Week 11 game during the Kansas City Chiefs. With the game on the line, Abram blew coverage and allowed for tight end Travis Kelce to score on a wide-open touchdown pass in the middle of the endzone.
His aggressive and occasionally sloppy style of play led him to get injured on a few plays, which would take him out of the game when he was needed most.
As the season progressed, Abram showed signs of improvement, especially when being used as a box safety that could apply pressure and stop the run. It’s likely that, in 2021, he’ll be used in the same fashion by Bradley.
But he won’t be without competition.
Much like Littleton, Abram will have to compete with both veterans and rookies for roster spots. Deablo, Tyrese Gillespie, and returning safety Karl Joseph will all be looking to get starting minutes on the revamped defense. As a former first-round pick, he’ll be expected to play at the level that a first-rounder should.
If Abram hopes to continuously play most of the snaps on defense, then he’ll have to prove that he can improve and grow more disciplined as a player. Otherwise, he may be splitting time with some of the other safeties on the squad.