Raiders put Johnathan Abram on notice by drafting multiple safeties

Dear Johnathan Abram, hope you’re having a nice weekend.

When you turn your attention back to work, you’ll notice things have gotten a tad interesting.

The Las Vegas Raiders have announced to the NFL world that they feel like they need wholesale growth at the safety position. We were all expecting Las Vegas to add one safety. But they have added three of them, potentially. They traded up twice to do it.

On Saturday morning, the Raiders traded the No. 162 overall pick in the fifth round and the No. 200 pick in the sixth round to the New York Jets to get up to No. 143 to take Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie.

Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images

Earlier on Friday night, the Raiders got their starting free safety when they traded up five spots to take TCU’s Trevon Moehrig (the best safety in the draft class, in my opinion). Then, in the third round, the Raiders took Divine Deablo of Virginia Tech. He may play linebacker, but there is a chance he could stick at safety.

If so, both Deablo and Gillespie could be threats to Abram at strong safety some point. That isn’t ideal for anyone, considering Abram was a first-round pick just two years ago.

The Raiders haven’t given up on Abram. They still think he can be a good player. But he has been injury prone, he has struggled in coverage and he has been undisciplined on the field.

If Abram doesn’t develop in Gus Bradley’s defense, the Raiders could turn to Deablo and/or Gillespie.

There is a reason why the Raiders have been aggressive at safety. It is clear they aren’t completely sold on Abram despite the recent huge draft investment in him.