In the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Marshall University cornerback, Micah Abraham. He was the second cornerback picked by the Colts and has been making a splash so far in preseason. In his first game against the Denver Broncos, Abraham forced a fumble, recovered it, and ran it in for a touchdown. He also finished the day with six total tackles, including a tackle for loss. In week two, against the Arizona Cardinals, Abraham had just one tackle but was solid all day and held his own in coverage.
Colts General Manager, Chris Ballard, made it clear at the start of training camp that he wants his young secondary to compete. Now that two preseason games are over, the likelihood of the Colts getting a veteran cornerback or safety off the market is slim to none. Indy is inexperienced in the secondary, but have several young talents who can develop into great assets. As evident from preseason, another young and inexperienced cornerback who can come up in the ranks for the Colts is Micah Abraham.
How Rising Rookie Cornerback Micah Abraham Can Impact the Colts
His Chances of Making the 53-Man Roster
NFL teams typically keep 10 defensive backs on their 53-man roster. Those ten are comprised of cornerbacks and safeties. Last year, the Colts had six cornerbacks and four safeties with two of those corners being rookies. Going into 2024, Kenny Moore II, Julius Brents, and Jaylon Jones are practically locked in with Darrell Baker Jr. and Dallis Flowers in great consideration. This, therefore, leaves one more opening in which Micah Abraham could take advantage.
The Colts currently have 10 cornerbacks on their roster and Abraham is playing better in preseason than fellow rookies, Jaylin Simpson and Clay Fields III. He is also outperforming second-year cornerback, Ameer Speed. Thus, the one other cornerback on the roster who could vie for a spot on the 53 is Chris Lammons. He is a four-year veteran who has played for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Lammons has been a depth piece throughout his career but has been solid in preseason and camp. Nonetheless, Abraham has been more impressive than Lammons so far. The Colts’ last preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals will probably be the final determining factor.
His Abilities as a Depth Piece
Depending on how a defense is schemed, most NFL teams will go with four starting cornerbacks each week. This, then, leaves room for a couple of backups and this is where Abraham could fit in. He has the chance to have a similar story to the 2023 seventh-round pick, Jaylon Jones. During Jones’ rookie year, he made the 53-man roster but was not an active starter each week. However, when injuries took place, the Colts needed him to step up and step in and he was able to earn a role as a permanent starter.
Micah Abraham could have the opportunity to do the same. In the NFL, there always has to be the mindset of next-man-up. As injuries occur, the season must continue and teams rely on their depth to compensate for the loss. Look no further than rookie cornerback, Micah Abraham to be that potential depth piece to aid this Colts defense.
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