Raiders: 5 former first-round picks that must reach their potential in 2021
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have plenty of first-round picks on the roster in 2021, and these five must reach their potential this upcoming season.
The 2021 season is one where plenty of players, coaches, and personnel will be on the hot seat if the Las Vegas Raiders fail to make the playoffs once again. This offseason, Las Vegas has brought in a bunch of new faces, including some former top picks, but for this to work, first-round selections must reach their potential.
Here, we look at five former first-round picks who must reach their potential in 2021.
Las Vegas Raiders: 5 former first-round picks that must reach their potential in 2021
No. 5: Johnathan Abram
No big shock here, as the Raiders secondary has been atrocious over the past few seasons, even with the franchise using high draft capital there. One player who has yet to play up to his potential is Johnathan Abram, a hard-hitting safety from Mississippi State that looked good early on, but has been bitten by the injury bug ever since.
There have been some moments, and 2020 was basically his rookie season, so do not count him out yet. In fact, with more talent at the safety position coming in, Abram should establish himself as a leader, but entering Year 3, the time is running out for him to prove he is a part of the long-term solution in Las Vegas.