The Emergence of a Dark Horse in the NFL: Kris Abrams-Draine’s Impressive Preseason Debut
As the Denver Broncos took to the field for their preseason debut against the Indianapolis Colts, all eyes were on the team’s new rookie cornerback, Kris Abrams-Draine. The fifth-round pick had been making waves in training camp with his smooth athleticism and willingness to tackle, but it was his performance on the field that truly caught the attention of fans and coaches alike.
According to Pro Football Focus, Abrams-Draine earned an impressive 80.7 overall grade, with a dazzling 90.1 coverage grade. He allowed zero yards on two targets, across 19 applicable snaps, showcasing his ability to shut down opposing receivers.
But Abrams-Draine’s emergence is not just about his individual performance - it’s also about the larger implications for the Broncos’ defense. With the team looking to solidify its secondary, Abrams-Draine’s play could be a key factor in determining the starting lineup.
“He came back confident,” Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph said of Abrams-Draine. “His spring was a little choppy. He’s a young guy and it’s his first NFL camp. He wasn’t sure from a mental standpoint and a physical standpoint, but he came back confident. He’s made plays. Obviously, he’s not where he should be [and is] moving forward [towards his] final product, but he’s playing well. He’s competing.”
As the Broncos look to the future, it’s clear that Abrams-Draine is a player to watch. With his unique combination of speed, agility, and tackling ability, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL.
Broncos rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine in action during the preseason game against the Colts.
But Abrams-Draine’s success is not just about his individual talent - it’s also about the team’s overall strategy. The Broncos are looking to build a strong secondary, and Abrams-Draine’s play could be a key factor in determining the team’s success.
“He’s an outside-in vision,” head coach Sean Payton said of Abrams-Draine. “We think he can play inside, but we want to start with him outside. We’ll move him round, but we have those discussions just like we do with the receivers. I mentioned it last week—‘in-out’ or ‘out-in’—we’d do with the corner [back].”
As the Broncos look to the future, it’s clear that Abrams-Draine is a player to watch. With his unique combination of speed, agility, and tackling ability, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL.
The Broncos’ secondary in action during the preseason game against the Colts.
But Abrams-Draine’s emergence is not just about his individual performance - it’s also about the larger implications for the team’s defense. With the team looking to solidify its secondary, Abrams-Draine’s play could be a key factor in determining the starting lineup.
As the Broncos look to the future, it’s clear that Abrams-Draine is a player to watch. With his unique combination of speed, agility, and tackling ability, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL.
Broncos rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine in action during the preseason game against the Colts.
In conclusion, Kris Abrams-Draine’s impressive preseason debut is a promising sign for the Denver Broncos. With his unique combination of speed, agility, and tackling ability, he has the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL. As the team looks to the future, it’s clear that Abrams-Draine is a player to watch.
The Denver Broncos’ logo.
