Raiders decline 5th-year option

The Raiders have declined the 5th-year option on the rookie contracts of both S Johnathan Abram and DE Clelin Ferrell. The decision on Ferrell is certainly no surprise, given that the former #4 overall pick played his way out of the starting lineup. Abram has fared better, and perhaps he's a candidate to re-sign with a good 2022. But the fact that Vegas declined the options on all 3 first-rounders from that 1st draft of the Mike Mayock era underscores that the team has new leadership. If Abram does hit the open market after the coming season, we'd bet on him landing at least an opportunity to fight for a starting job elsewhere -- barring a poor final performance with the Raiders, of course.