10 NFL players who will make their first Pro Bowl in 2020

Johnathan Abram – Las Vegas Raiders

The former Mississippi State safety was robbed of his rookie year because of injury, Abram limited to just one game because of a torn rotator cuff suffered in the season opener with the Denver Broncos.

One of the stars of last year’s Hard Knocks series, Abram will look to make his presence felt in the pros in the same manner he did consistently in college and will attempt to do so on a Raiders defnese that should be improved after a busy offseason.

Abram fits the mold of the versatile modern-day safety who can play the deep middle, down in the box and in the slot, and, during his time with the Bulldogs, demonstrated the ability to regularly affect both the run and the pass game.

With the Raiders’ defensive line looking much more intimidating than it did at this point last year following Maxx Crosby’s 10-sack rookie season, Abram should have significant scope to play in attack mode as he aims to showcase his playmaking ability.

Success for the Raiders will likely hinge on whether Derek Carr and the offense can keep pace with Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. But the arrow is pointing up for the defense and Abram’s presence, along with that of free-agent linebacker Cory Littleton, should allow this group to present offenses with a wider range of looks in 2020.

Abram will be critical for a unit looking to take the next step in Las Vegas. He has the potential to help the Las Vegas defense become a top-half group and become a Pro Bowler in his home stadium.