Why did the Raiders cut Johnathan Abram?
The Las Vegas Raiders are moving on from their first-round pick in 2019 Johnathan Abram, according to ESPN. The 26-year-old is known for his tough tackles, but the writing was on the wall for the safety after the Raiders did not pick up his fifth-year option.
While he did play a significant number of defensive snaps through seven weeks in a bid to find a potential trade partner, none came forward. Abram's snap count has declined in the last two games. Going from 54 snaps against Houston, down to 22 against New Orleans and then 32 against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Raiders cut S Johnathan Abram, one of three 2019 first-round picks. I guess he was the reason they're 2-6.
The safety has been released by the Raiders. Taken with the 27th pick in the 2019 draft, it was thought that Abrams was going to be the team's star corner for the next decade.
It has not panned out that way, and he is now without a team. He is subject to waivers, so another team can pick him up.
Johnathan Abram's stats
The 26-year-old is in his just his fourth NFL season, but the Raiders have seen enough. In total, he has played 36 games (34 as a starter) and has three interceptions, 12 passes defended, 255 combined tackles, eight tackles for loss and nine quarterback hits.
A surprise: The #Raiders are releasing former first-round pick safety Johnathan Abram, per source. https://t.co/E8BjfpRvhT
In 2020, Abram played 13 games for the Raiders and snagged two interceptions. The following year, he was again a feature of the defense, playing 14 games. Despite playing in all eight games in 2022, his participation has dramatically declined.
Johnathan Abram's contract
Per spotrac.com, the 26-year-old is in the final year of his rookie deal. He signed a four-year $11,495,194 deal in 2019 that had $10,252,667 in guaranteed money.
Like all players released after the trade deadline, Johnathan Abram will go on waivers. He's due a little over $1 million in base salary for the rest of 2022, the last year on his rookie contract. twitter.com/TomPelissero/s…
For the rest of the 2022 season, the safety is due just over $1 million as part of the last year of his rookie deal.
3 potential landing spots for Johnathan Abram
With Abram now without a team, who could do with his services?
#1 - Detroit Lions
When the team is giving up the most points in the NFL, something has to change on defense. Head coach Dan Campbell would love a player of Abram's ilk. He brings huge amounts of energy from which Detroit could benefit.
#2 - Buffalo Bills
This might be a surprise, but given that star duo Micah Hyde (out for the year) and Jordan Poyer getting injured more often than not, Johnathan Abram could fill a void for what is still a good Bills defense.
He would likely not cost much in terms of a contract and could be a valuable addition.
#3 - Arizona Cardinals
Budda Baker could do with some help on the other side of the field. Acquiring Abrams would not take much now for Arizona to shore up their defense.
Sitting at the bottom of the NFC West with a 3-6 record, the Cardinals need to make some moves, and it could start with Abram.