Oakland Raiders: Grading every 2019 NFL Draft pick

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STARKVILLE, MS – OCTOBER 06: Johnathan Abram #38 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs celebrates during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Round 1, Pick 27: Johnathan Abram, DB, Mississippi State

Did the Oakland Raiders duo of Mayock and Gruden draft a safety after signing LaMarcus Joyner and with Karl Joseph already on the roster? Yes, they did. And, in a lot of ways, it makes sense. Mississippi State’s Jonathan Abram isn’t just a hard-hitting safety, but he is certainly that, a player who flies to the ball. He’s quick and decisive and closes in with a purpose. Equally impressive is his short area quickness. He can line up and play man coverage in the slot.

The way Paul Guenther will line Abram up is going to be fun. Joyner and Joseph will man the safety spots. Joyner and Abram can rotate in the slot. Abram gives them a lot of speed and extra coverage as he’ll likely replace a linebacker in sub-packages. This felt like a pick specifically for their division.

The Chiefs currently have arguably the greatest tight end in football, Travis Kelce while the Chargers have a great weapon in at tight end in Hunter Henry. Moreover, the Broncos drafted a potentially dangerous weapon in Noah Fant.

Drafting a guy who can line up in man-to-man against those guys makes sense. Abram, like those picked before him, is also a locker room guy and he’s a leader who can set the tone on the field. So, he’s more than just a safety.

Grade: B+

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