With plenty of offseason time left to go, the safety group for the Las Vegas Raiders so far looks adequate. It has a couple of young guys that are capable of making plays every now and then. The main problem is that the ceiling isn’t extremely high and other players are also capable of committing self-inflicted mistakes. So where do they all rank?
What does the safety position look like this year for the Raiders?
No. 1 Raiders S – Trevon Moehrig
Last year’s second-round pick was not only decent on the field, but he was also healthy. According to Pro Football Reference, Trevon Moehrig started every game of the season plus the lone playoff game. He also finished his rookie season with six pass deflections and one interception, earning a spot on PFWA’s All-Rookie Team. On the negative side, Moehrig had nine missed tackles (14%) and missed a potential game-winning interception-in his hands-against the Commanders that led to a loss. It is still a solid year for the rookie, and there is plenty of reason to have high hopes with Patrick Graham as the new defensive coordinator.
No. 2 Raiders S – Johnathan Abram
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Johnathan Abram has a lot to prove. Abram has had several flashes of laying down some hard hits on opposing players, but that’s almost it. Through his young career, Abram has mostly been dependable whenever the ball heads his way. He allowed a completion percentage of 79.2 and a passer rating of 112. The Raiders have declined his fifth-year option as well, saying that he will have to contribute a lot more. One way that can start is if he can make himself more available, as he hasn’t played in more than 14 games in a season yet.
No. 3 Raiders S – Duron Harmon
The oldest player in this group, at 31 years old, Duron Harmon, might have some potential. Over his 10-year career, Harmon has accumulated 21 interceptions and 38 passes defended. He’s also played over 90% of the snaps in the last two years and only missed 12 tackles in that same span. Something else that will be on his side will be experience. All the other starters are 25 or younger, outside of Dallin Leavitt (27). It’ll be good to have a true veteran on the squad that can guide the younger players. He isn’t remarkable by any means but getting competent football out of him will be helpful enough.
No. 4 Raiders S – Roderic Teamer
Even though Roderic Teamer hasn’t been in the league as long as Dallin Leavitt, he has more starter experience. Teamer has one interception, one sack and two pass deflections across 17 career games. His job isn’t completely secure though, since he also hasn’t shown much reliability for the Raiders yet. It also doesn’t help that there are plenty of other young safeties on the roster who will fight for a spot on the team.
No. 5 Raiders S – Dallin Leavitt
Despite being on the team since 2018, Dallin Leavitt always seems to be on the edge of the roster every year. One of the reasons that he’s been kept around so far is for his special team’s experience and being able to fill in at safety if there’s an injury. His problem is that he’s made several big mistakes over the years that have led to fans wanting him gone. Similarly to Teamer, Leavitt will have to compete with younger players to keep his spot, and the bar to surpass him isn’t all that high.
The Rest
Qwynnterrio Cole, Isaiah Pola-Mao, and Tyree Gillespie are all either rookies or haven’t played enough to be given a proper evaluation. With that said, none of them should be ruled out of a spot on the roster. Only time will tell until we get closer to the season.
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*Top Photo: Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun
