Source: Raiders releasing 2019 1st-rounder Johnathan Abram

HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing former first-round pick Johnathan Abram, who had been a starter at strong safety since being drafted out of Mississippi State in 2019, ESPN has confirmed.

But with a new regime taking over the Raiders in general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels, Abram lost his starting job in Week 8 this season to Duron Harmon. Abram's special teams snaps started to go up, and he was rumored to be shopped at the trade deadline, but to no avail.

Abram, the No. 27 overall pick in 2019 and the third of the Raiders' three first-rounders that year, entered the league with the reputation of a fearsome hitter, though he often doled out friendly-fire…