The Colts’ decision to draft Micah Abraham, a cornerback from Marshall University, in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft deviated from their usual emphasis on strong athletic testing. Here are three key takeaways regarding Abraham:
1. Ballhawking Cornerback: Despite not meeting the Colts’ typical athletic prerequisites, Abraham compensates with impressive ball skills. He holds the school record for passes defensed at Marshall, with 55. Throughout his college career, he amassed 12 interceptions in 46 starts (62 games). Abraham attributes his success to his speed, football intelligence, and ability to create turnovers. His father, Donnie Abraham, was drafted in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft and played nine seasons. Additionally, his cousin is former Colts cornerback Tim Jennings, further establishing his NFL lineage.
2. Nickel Cornerback Potential: Abraham began his college career as a safety before transitioning to an outside cornerback role for the majority of his collegiate tenure. Although primarily an outside corner, he did receive some playing time in the nickel cornerback position. At 5’9″ and 185 pounds, Abraham’s physical attributes make him a suitable candidate for the nickel/slot cornerback role. With the Colts experiencing depth concerns behind Kenny Moore II, Abraham will aim to secure a place on the roster by demonstrating his ability to contribute in that capacity.
3. Monitoring the Veteran Cornerback Situation: Cornerback was a significant area of need for the Colts heading into the draft. However, it wasn’t until the later stages of Day 3 that the team addressed that position with the selection of Abraham. It remains to be seen how the Colts will handle their cornerback situation after the draft. Will they pursue veteran acquisitions to bolster the position, or will General Manager Chris Ballard rely on the growth and development of the young cornerbacks already on the roster? The team’s approach to addressing this need will be intriguing to observe.
