3 Raiders who could earn starting roles during 2022 training camp
3 Raiders who could earn starting roles during 2022 training camp
Duron Harmon
With back-to-back position battles on the offensive side of the ball, let’s turn our attention to the defense as we wrap this up.
I first mentioned this theory some months ago, but the chances are very real that Duron Harmon can overtake Johnathan Abram as the team’s starting strong safety. In fact, I’d even go as far as saying this is likely to happen sometime next year, should Abram not improve in coverage.
There are two simple things here. The first is what I just hinted at; Abram’s lack of coverage skills.
Abram’s best year in coverage was his rookie season, in which he played only 1 game. It isn’t him only appearing in one contest that makes this a disappointing stat, but rather the former first-round pick giving up a completion percentage of 66.7%, with an opposing quarterback rating of 109.7. Those are career-bests, and needless to say, those are not numbers to hang on the fridge.
This is not Harmon.
Harmon, a former Patriot, has excelled in coverage. A season hasn’t gone by where Duron Harmon has allowed more than 3 passing touchdowns in coverage, and outside of one season, the new Raiders’ safety hasn’t allowed a completion percentage north of 67.5%. Harmon is also a sure tackler from his safety position, recording a 2.9 missed tackle percentage, as opposed to Abram’s career-high 10.8%.
The second thing here is the familiarity with Josh McDaniels and much of the new Raiders’ coaching staff. As a Patriot, Harmon had some incredible years. In New England, he recorded 17 interceptions, breaking up an additional 28 passes. Harmon played all over the secondary, boding well with defensive coordinator Patrick Graham and his favoritism towards versatility; Graham being another coach Harmon is familiar with.
During his last season as a Patriot, in 2019, Harmon was able to put up some incredible percentages. In his 657 defensive snaps, the defensive back posted a phenomenal opposing quarterback rating of 39.7, with an allowed completion percentage of 53.3%. If Las Vegas is lucky enough to get a Duron Harmon who’s half as productive, now reunited with his old Patriots buddies, look out.
It would be wrong of me to leave this as a page that shuns Jonathan Abram, so I won’t do that. Coverage isn’t Abram’s strength, to put it mildly, but the Mississippi State alumni does have departments he excels. Most notably, Abram is a willing tackler, who plays well against the run. The Raiders’ strong safety also has a package of pass-rushing moves, allowing him to put pressure on quarterbacks.
The big thing with Abram – He’s taken steps forward every year, both statistically and mentality. Abram frequently made bonehead mistakes while throwing his body around without precaution, causing both unnecessary injuries and penalties to be drawn. As he matures, these are things the ’19 first-round pick has begun to understood, and has made the right corrections. Now, it’s time to improve in coverage, or it’s likely Harmon’s starting job.