2019 NFL Draft: Grades for every first-round pick

27. Oakland Raiders: Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Grade: B+

With their third and final selection of the first round, the Raiders finally make a selection that makes sense to me. At number 27, the Raiders add Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram to the mix, helping to solidify their defensive backfield.

Abram is a tough defensive back who shows impressive overall ability as an in-the-box defender. He is aggressive against the run, commonly coming up and taking down opposing running backs with authority. He is not the most fluid player in coverage, but Abram is a strong man-to-man defender who can defend tight ends and has the quickness to compete against running backs and even some slot receivers.

The Raiders likely draft Abram to replace Karl Joseph as their primary strong safety. He comes in and should be an immediate upgrade over Joseph at the position. He is also an alpha personality who will likely become an immediate leader for the Raiders defense.

Oakland did not have a great night in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. I legitimately think they missed with their first two picks and that could really hurt the franchise going forward. However, bringing Abram into the fold at 27 was a step in the right direction.