Johnathan Abram’s return will be huge for Raiders defense

The Las Vegas Raiders will welcome Johnathan Abram back with open arms.

The now-Las Vegas Raiders have a long-standing history in the league, popping up in numerous unforgettable NFL games in addition to producing a list of legendary coaches and players alike — and, of course, late owner Al Davis.

Of the many greats to have donned the silver and black, their secondary has been a point of pride over the many years. Lately, however, the Raiders have been looking to recapture the glory days of the secondary, trying to find their next safety tandem that can live up to the legacy of Jack Tatum and George Atkinson. They need help to accomplish that, though — but help is on the way.

Johnathan Abram was the last of the Raiders’ three first-round picks in the 2019 NFL Draft, with the silver and black taking the former Mississippi State safety with the No. 27 pick. Even though he only played one game his rookie year, he had already made an impact in that one game and in training camp for his ferociously aggressive style of play.

It’s a style of play that is seen as a breath of fresh air for Raiders fans. The hard-nosed safety is a lost commodity in many instances of the modern NFL but is revered in this franchise’s history. Abram is a throwback ready to bring that back as he’s set to return for the 2020 season.

Johnathan Abram can give the Raiders secondary a needed facelift.

In training camp as a rookie, Abram distinguished himself to the coaches with his aggressiveness with Jon Gruden even telling him to tone it down a bit.

In the lone game of his rookie year, Abram made an impact with five combined tackles and a pass defense against the Denver Broncos, the latter of which ultimately ended his season with a torn rotator cuff and labrum. Despite this, he still returned and finished the game.

Without being too hyperbolic, Abram may already be one of the toughest and most aggressive safeties in the league. His ability to play through pain and play borderline recklessly at the same time is what sets him apart from others at the position.

During the aforementioned Denver game, Abram inadvertently injured then-teammate Gareon Conley. Conley was attempting to make a tackle as the running back was heading out of bounds. Abram came in to finish the play but his leg hit Conley’s head. Conley then has to be carted off the field from the collision.

During Abram’s time on the shelf, he made sure he was involved in the team meetings. As he told Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area, “I couldn’t exercise my muscles. I had to exercise something.”

Abram also has been on record saying he modeled his game after current Raiders safety Lamarcus Joyner and now former Raiders safety Karl Joseph. While Abram may model his game after those two, his attitude and style of play will remind Raiders fans of the glory years of Tatum and Atkinson patrolling the secondary.

While the Raiders offseason resulted in several new arrivals, it’s the return of Abram that should pay off in dividends. If he can stay healthy, then Raider Nation will have another potential breakout star on their hands. The Raiders still need help in the secondary and the return of Abram will only help in maintaining their commitment to excellence.