Raiders waive former 1st-rounder Johnathan Abram

The Las Vegas Raiders have released former first-round pick Johnathan Abram, who had been a starter at strong safety.

With a new regime taking over the Raiders, the starting job went to Duron Harmon in Week 8. He was rumored to be traded at the trade deadline, but he was not.

He entered the league with the reputation of a fearsome hitter, but he often didled out friendly-fire hits to teammates. He suffered a shoulder injury in the first half of his first game and did not play the rest of the season.

He was a featured player in the "Hard Knocks" training camp show as a first-year player, debated the proper pronunciation of "salmon" during a team dinner, and was a favorite of Jon and Mike Mayock.

Willie Brown and Charles Woodson are two Hall of Fame defensive backs who wore the same number for the Raiders.

In the past he was an outspoken player in the locker room, but in the last few seasons he has been more subdued. He said he had matured as he prepared for a new defense.

After his fifth year option was declined by Las Vegas, he said it always takes work. I spent a lot of time in the old system and the new system, but just watching the film and seeing how Patrick Graham uses calls from the old system to the new system.

In 36 career games, the 26 year old has three career picks up and 11 passes defensed.

Only 11 of the 23 players drafted in three years under Mayock are still with the team.