The Denver Broncos needed more depth at the cornerback position going into the 2024 NFL Draft and they did just that in the fifth round.
Denver Broncos draft Mizzou CB Kris Abrams-Draine 145th overall
The Denver Broncos cornerback group will have another young player added into the mix this upcoming season. In the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Broncos took University of Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine.
Abrams-Draine is 5’11 and 179 lbs and is a little undersized for the outside, but he has good ball skills and great route recognition traits. He’s able to play press coverage and off-ball coverage, which will be something that Denver utilizes with Jim Leonhard as their DB coach and passing game coordinator.
In 2023, the Mizzou DB appeared in and played in 13 games, accounting for 51 tackles, four interceptions, and 13 passes defended. 2022 saw him defend 14 passes.
Kris Abrams-Draine, your newest Denver Bronco! #9sports pic.twitter.com/tbt5fBd6Bb
— Scotty Gange (@Scotty_G6) April 27, 2024
One thing that’s noticeable with him is his footwork and discipline in his backpedal and he does a great job of mirroring wide receivers off the line of scrimmage when working in press coverage. He’s not afraid of coming up in run support either, which will be a huge requirement from Leonhard and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
He’ll join Patrick Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, Levi Wallace, Ja’Quan McMillian, Reese Taylor, and veteran Tremon Smith in the cornerback room this year.
One thing to keep an eye on for Broncos Country with Abrams-Draine is whether or not he’ll work a hybrid role in the slot and on the outside. He has the capability of doing both, but with his size, playing inside the slot seems more imaginable for him.
It’s unlikely that he’s projected to play a big role for Denver defensively in year one, but he’s got a development arch to him that could see him step on the field perhaps in year two or three on defense. His best course of action is to thrive on special teams for Denver this season, and depending on who wins the starting cornerback job opposite of Surtain, there will be plenty of opportunities to get playing time on special teams.
