Johnathan Jauquez Abram Bio
Johnathan Jauquez Abram is an American professional football safety who currently plays in the National Football League. Born on October 25, 1996, in Columbia, Mississippi, Abram developed his football skills at East Marion High School before advancing through the collegiate ranks at Georgia and Mississippi State. The Oakland Raiders selected him in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 27th overall pick, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the Amari Cooper trade. Throughout his NFL career, Abram has demonstrated his defensive capabilities with the Raiders, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, and New Orleans Saints. Known for his physical style of play and leadership in the secondary, Abram has accumulated 311 career tackles, 5 interceptions, and 17 pass deflections through his first six professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Johnathan Jauquez Abram grew up in Columbia, Mississippi, where he attended East Marion High School. At East Marion, Abram played multiple positions on the football field, including snaps at linebacker alongside his duties as a safety. His versatility and athleticism caught the attention of college scouts across the Southeastern Conference. As a high school athlete competing for the East Marion Eagles, Abram developed the foundational skills that would define his future career at the next level.
Path to the NFL
A 2-star recruit coming out of high school, Abram committed to the University of Georgia on November 1, 2014. After his freshman season with the Bulldogs, he announced his decision to transfer. Abram then attended Jones County Junior College in 2016, where he continued developing his craft. His performance earned him another opportunity at Georgia, receiving a scholarship to return just four months after his initial departure. On December 16, 2016, Abram announced his transfer to Mississippi State University for his final two years of college eligibility. At Mississippi State, Abram showcased his defensive prowess as a safety, leading the team with 93 tackles during his senior season. His outstanding performance earned him first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors from the media and second-team recognition from the coaches. Following his collegiate career, Abram received an invitation to the 2019 Senior Bowl under San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, further solidifying his draft stock.
Johnathan Jauquez Abram Career
Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders (2019–2022)
The Oakland Raiders selected Johnathan Abram in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 27th overall pick. Abram made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, recording 5 tackles in the 24–16 victory. The debut was cut short when he suffered a torn rotator cuff and labrum during the game, placing him on injured reserve on September 13, 2019, and ending his rookie season prematurely.
Abram returned in 2020 for Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, recording a team-high 13 tackles in the 34–30 win. His comeback continued with his first career interception in Week 3 against the New England Patriots, picking off a pass thrown by Cam Newton during the 36–20 loss. Despite the interception, concerns arose about Abram’s coverage skills and awareness throughout the season. In 2021, Abram entered the season as the Raiders’ starting strong safety. He was placed on injured reserve on December 25, 2021, after undergoing shoulder surgery. He finished that season with a career-high 116 tackles, second on the team, and one interception through 14 starts. On April 29, 2022, the Raiders announced they would not pick up the fifth-year option on Abram’s contract, making him a free agent in the 2023 offseason. The Raiders waived Abram on November 8, 2022.
Green Bay Packers (2022)
On November 10, 2022, the Green Bay Packers claimed Abram off waivers. His tenure with the Packers was brief, as the team waived him on November 29, 2022, after just a few weeks on the roster.
Seattle Seahawks (2022)
The Seattle Seahawks claimed Abram off waivers on November 30, 2022. He finished the 2022 season with the Seahawks, though the team did not re-sign him after the season concluded.
New Orleans Saints (2023–2024)
On March 22, 2023, Abram signed with the New Orleans Saints. He was waived during final roster cuts on August 29 but was immediately re-signed to the practice squad. Abram was promoted to the active roster on November 30. In Week 17 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he recorded one interception against Baker Mayfield, one forced fumble, one pass deflection, and five tackles. On March 20, 2024, Abram re-signed with the Saints. He was again waived during final roster cuts on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad on August 28, despite being a contender for a starting safety role. He was released on October 22, 2024.
Playing Style and Strengths
Johnathan Abram is known for his aggressive, physical approach as a safety in the NFL. His tackling ability and willingness to approach the line of scrimmage have been consistent strengths throughout his career. Abram excels in run support and brings an intensity to the defensive backfield that coaches have valued. His ability to read plays and deliver hard hits has made him a disruptive force, though his coverage skills in pass defense have drawn scrutiny from analysts. His experience playing multiple positions in college, including snaps at linebacker, demonstrates his versatility and football intelligence.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Abram’s career highlights, his first-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft stands as a significant milestone, particularly given the trade context that delivered the pick to Oakland. His comeback from a season-ending shoulder injury in his rookie year demonstrated his resilience. The 2021 season represented his most productive statistical year with a career-high 116 tackles. His interception against Cam Newton during his 2020 return from injury marked a memorable moment in his professional career.
Johnathan Jauquez Abram Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning five seasons, Johnathan Abram has established himself as a reliable defensive player with significant tackle production. His career includes stops with four different franchises, demonstrating his ability to contribute in various defensive schemes.
NFL Career Highlights
In professional competition, Abram has appeared in 67 career games with 51 starts. His rookie season was abbreviated by injury, but he returned to form in subsequent years. The 2021 season represented his statistical peak with 116 tackles, while his career totals include 311 tackles, 5 interceptions, 17 pass deflections, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble. His ability to create turnovers while contributing in run defense has been a consistent element of his game.
College Achievements
At Mississippi State, Abram earned third-team All-American honors and first-team All-SEC recognition in 2018. Leading the team with 93 tackles as a senior demonstrated his ability to be a difference-maker at the collegiate level. His journey through multiple programs, from Georgia to Jones County Junior College and back to Mississippi State, shaped him into a prepared professional ready for NFL competition.
| Season | Team | Tackles | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Oakland Raiders | 5 | 0 |
| 2020 | Las Vegas Raiders | 79 | 1 |
| 2021 | Las Vegas Raiders | 116 | 1 |
| 2022 | Oakland/GB/SEA | 66 | 2 |
| 2023 | New Orleans Saints | 45 | 1 |
Johnathan Jauquez Abram Family
Family Background
Johnathan Abram was born and raised in Columbia, Mississippi. His family background and upbringing in the Mississippi area played a formative role in his development as an athlete. Details regarding his parents, siblings, or extended family members are not extensively documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Abram maintains an active presence on social media, with official accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram where he connects with fans. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, or children is not publicly available or confirmed through verified sources. His focus has remained on his football career throughout his professional tenure.
2025 Season Outlook
Following his release from the New Orleans Saints practice squad in October 2024, Johnathan Abram enters the 2025 season as a free agent seeking an opportunity with an NFL franchise. His experience as a former first-round pick and six seasons of professional football provide value to teams seeking depth at the safety position. Abram’s physical style of play and tackling ability remain attractive attributes for defensive coordinators. His journey through four teams in his career demonstrates his persistence and adaptability. Teams looking for a veteran safety with starting experience may consider Abram a viable option as they evaluate roster construction ahead of the 2025 season. His career statistics of 311 tackles and 5 interceptions indicate a player capable of contributing to a defense immediately if given an opportunity.