The Saints were able to retain a bit more depth at safety Wednesday by re-signing Johnathan Abram, according to Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. With a bit of change in New Orleans’ secondary this spring, Abram may have a chance to earn a more prominent role.
A former first-round pick for the Raiders in 2019, Abram’s NFL career got off to a rough start when a torn rotator cuff and labrum put him on season-ending injured reserve after his NFL debut game. Abram rebounded well, starting 27 games over his second and third seasons. In those respective seasons, Abram finished first and second on the team in tackles while also intercepting three passes and recording 10 passes defensed, though he was often criticized for being a liability in coverage.
After Las Vegas declined Abram’s fifth-year option, the team opted to waive him mid-season. Abram was claimed off waivers by Green Bay, where he spent three weeks playing special teams before being waived again. He was then picked up off waivers by the Seahawks who started him for a couple of games down the stretch of the regular season. After not re-signing in Seattle, Abram joined New Orleans as a free agent.
In 2023, Abram served as a fourth safety option behind Tyrann Mathieu, rookie fifth-round pick Jordan Howden, and Marcus Maye. With Maye’s release being announced in February, Abram should get an opportunity to step into a bigger role as the team’s third option at safety moving forward. He joins Ugo Amadi as the second backup safety to re-sign with the team in as many days.
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