With the 2021 NFL Draft behind us, we can look ahead to the regular season. We do that here as we make 20 bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.
With the majority of free agency done and the 2021 NFL Draft behind us, it’s time to start looking ahead to the new season.
As always, there will be a ton of storylines to follow — and that will also lead to some surprises as well.
Here, we look ahead to the 2021 NFL season and make 20 bold predictions, starting with the Las Vegas Raiders giving up on a first-round pick after drafting many other players at his position.
20. Raiders release Johnathan Abram
The Las Vegas Raiders first pick was criticized by many as they took Alex Leatherwood at No. 17. Whether or not that was a reach is up for debate but what really isn’t debatable is how much of a steal they got with Trevon Moehrig in Round 2.
Moehrig slid to pick No. 43 and Vegas jumped up to get him, giving them a true starting safety. Then in the mid-rounds, they took another safety in Divine Deablo from Virginia Tech at No. 80, and their very next pick was used on Tyree Gillespie, another safety from Missouri who they took at No. 143.
That means Las Vegas added three safeties in the draft and that’s without mentioning the reunion with Karl Joseph who spent last season in Cleveland before returning to the franchise that he began his career with.
All of that being said, Abram is in a tough spot. A former first-round pick, Abram has missed 18 games in two seasons and it’s no secret that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden don’t waste time cutting players who they don’t think live up to expectations.
It may be early, but Abram could find himself on the open market before Week 1.