What's next for oft-injured Raiders SS Johnathan Abram?

Jun 06, 2022

The new regime is not taking any chances when it comes to potential foundational core players. All three 2019 first-round draft picks are playing in the last year of their respective rookie contracts.

R1 (No. 4) | OLB Clellin Ferrell
R1 (No. 24) | RB Josh Jacobs
R1 (No. 27) | SS Johnathan Abram

Out of the three, I believe Jacobs has the highest probability of a potential return. Still, the new regime drafted RB Zamir White. So a two-headed monster in 2022, could see only one player gaining the lion share of the reps in 2023--if you know what I mean.

But this article focuses on one player--that’s SS Johnathan Abram. If you’re new to following me, I’m not afraid to voice my opinion. I always tell it like it is from the BEAST perspective.

Box Safety

When it comes to Abram, all I see is a traditional box safety. That’s not as much as a knock on his game, as it is hard to find a dual-threat safety who can do both--show up in run-support and cover ground downfield.

A couple weeks ago, I went on Raiders Nation Radio with my guy Vinny Bonsignore and he asked for my analysis of the team’s secondary. I told him Abram has the tools to play the box but range is questionable and needs some serious work to stay in Las Vegas. (You can follow my guy on Twitter below).

Vincent Bonsignore @VinnyBonsignore

Here is ⁦@Raiders⁩ Johnathan Abram leaving the field

For the record, I’m a fan Abram. I like his leadership, tenacity, toughness, and grit. Those same traits are also what makes him oft-injured.

Ryan Sakamoto @BEASTwriter

29. #Seahawks via Chiefs: SS Johnathan Abram Analysis: The loss of FS Earl Thomas was huge, leaving a gaping hole in the team's secondary. A new team leader comes into play as Abram will re-establish a new LOB in the PNW. Hawks could also trade out of 1st to accumulate draft pks

Too many times over we see defensive players go for the bone-crushing hit instead of squaring up to the target. This leads to injuries as players initiate contact with their shoulders.

Some players like SS Ronnie Lott, SS John Lynch, and SS Rodney Harrison have been known to the lay the wood. They’ve also been extremely durable during their respective NFL careers. So take this with a grain of salt.

But in today’s NFL, the target area has been greatly diminished. Here is a brief breakdown of current hits on defenseless players:

Prohibited contact against a player who is in a defenseless posture is:

Using helmet, facemask, forearm, or shoulder to initiate contact to a player’s head or neck area, even if the initial contact is lower than the player’s neck and regardless of whether the defensive player also uses his arms to tackle the defenseless player by encircling or grasping him
Lowering the head & making forcible contact with the crown or “hairline” parts of the helmet against any part of the defenseless player’s body
It is an illegal launch if a player (i) leaves both feet prior to contact to spring forward and upward into his opponent, and (ii) uses any part of his helmet to initiate forcible contact against any part of his opponent’s body.

(This does not apply to contact against a runner, unless the runner is still considered to be a defenseless player, as defined in Article 7.)

Basically what you are teaching defensive players is to take your head/shoulder out of the game--with the mindset that using your shoulder to a defenseless player is fair play if you can predict the kinetic energy vs potential energy based on momentum. Take me back to senior year of high school physics.

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Abram style of play is violent but risky

Missed 21 regular season games | 57% healthy
Torn rotator cuff/labrum can be chronic despite surgery
GM Dave Ziegler declined his 5th-year option

What does Abram do well?

Tough, physical, throwback safety
Locker room leader with strong football IQ
Plays like a LB
Perfect HWS for today’s safety | 5-11, 205 | 4.45 (40-yard)

Where does Abram need work?

Pass coverage
Takes poor angles at times
Late to the spot when ball arrives
Stiff hips for a safety

Vincent Bonsignore @VinnyBonsignore

Johnathan Abram burned again.

2022 Outlook

Every day (M-F), I release my Aloha kickoff question to kick start the day on my Facebook page. Be sure to follow all our social media listed below to be entered for our weekly #DarksideofBEASTwriter giveaways!

Today’s Aloha kickoff question was in regards to Abram and how the Raider Nation envision his play in 2022. The comments were concerning:

“Waive him.” - Justin K.
“I think he's out of position. I know he is a safety but he would be more useful as a linebacker... since his coverage game is a consistent liability.”- Joe O.
“He's got this season to prove and improve and that's it. He's nearly single handedly lost us games because of blown coverage.” - Allen S.
“I think damaged goods, cut your losses now.” - Donna H.

While I do think Abram has the traits to be a starting SS for the silver & black moving forward, it will be a tough sell for Ziegler and company, especially if Abram gets injured again--third time in four years.

In three injury-plagued seasons, Abram has recorded:

207 tackles | 3 INTs | 10 PBUs

What are your thoughts Raider Nation? Drop those comments below and lets hear your take on the 2019 R1 product…Mahalo :)

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