What to Know: Packers claim S Johnathan Abram off waivers

Earlier in the week, the Las Vegas Raiders released former 2019 first-round pick and safety Johnathan Abram. After hitting waivers, Abram is now a member of the Green Bay Packers after the team put in a claim on him.

Abram was selected six spots after Darnell Savage in the 2019 draft. He has played all over the field, spending nearly 1,000 snaps in the box, another 639 at free safety, and 462 from the slot.

In coverage, he has allowed a completion rate of 76% on 132 targets at 10.6 yards per catch with three interceptions and seven pass breakups, according to PFF ($$). Abram has, however, been an inconsistent tackler, with a missed rate of 16% this season, which for context, ranks 18th out of 64 eligible safeties this season.

In addition to his defensive contributions, Abram has over 200 special teams snaps under Rich Bisaccia.

Despite being released by the Raiders, Abram did play a significant role defensively this season with 423 snaps, most of which came in the box. The Raiders didn’t pick up Abram’s fifth-year option in the offseason, and they reportedly tried to trade him prior to the deadline. With Abrams in the final year of his deal and Las Vegas 2-6, he clearly wasn’t a part of their future plans. For what it’s worth, he has not graded out well by PFF’s metrics, particularly struggling in coverage.

What does this mean for the Packers moving forward?

Well, there’s a few alternatives. The safety position has underwhelmed this season for the Packers, specifically Darnell Savage. Last week, Joe Barry was asked about moving Savage to the slot, but Barry said that would require additional depth at safety.

With Eric Stokes potentially missing significant time, this gives the Packers a path to move Savage to the slot, with Rasul Douglas and Jaire Alexander on the boundary and Abram at safety with Adrian Amos.

Another alternative could be Abram going to the slot if the Packers feel confident in his abilities. Or perhaps Rudy Ford – who the coaching staff has spoken highly of – could play next to Amos and Abram is simply depth in the secondary.

With any of these options, it means that Keisean Nixon would not assume the slot duties as he has on several occasions this season.

Although Abram’s contract is up after this season, he could be an inexpensive re-signing in the upcoming offseason, given that the safety position is going to be in flux, with Savage and Tariq Carpenter the only safeties under contract beyond 2022.

With the addition of Abram, a corresponding roster move will have to be made to create space. This will most likely include Rashan Gary going on IR, along with potentially Romeo Doubs and Stokes.