Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.
Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.
I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up first is cornerback Micah Abraham.
2023 Season review
Micah Abraham was the Colts’ sixth-round selection in past April’s draft, taken at 201st overall. Abraham is a bit undersized compared to the cornerbacks the Colts usually target, and his RAS of 3.70 was lower as well, but what GM Chris Ballard really liked about Abraham was his versatility and ball production during his time at Marshall.
“To go in and out gives him some real value and gives him a chance to actually compete and make the roster,” Ballard said after the draft. “12 picks is 12 picks, that’s not easy to do. So, he’s got a natural instinct and ball skills. That usually translates.
“We’ll see, but we like him. His tape is really good. I thought he should’ve been at the combine. For whatever reason, they don’t end up there. That happens, but he’s a really talented guy.”
During the 2023 season, Abraham allowed a completion rate of just 49 percent on 63 targets and a passer rating of 75.4. He finished his career with 12 interceptions, four of which came in 2023, and 34 pass breakups, according to PFF. Abraham comes to the NFL as an experienced collegiate player with over 3,200 defensive snaps.
2024 Season preview
Although Abraham spent the majority of his time at Marshall lined up on the boundary, as Ballard mentioned, they like his versatility and believe he is someone who can play inside at the nickel position, providing the Colts with a backup option behind Kenny Moore.
My guess is that, ideally, the 2024 season would be a red-shirt-like year for Abraham, with the opportunity to be on the roster but not relied upon on Sundays. If Abraham does see playing time this season, the Colts are probably dealing with injuries.
In an effort to project what the cornerback depth chart will look like, heading into camp Abraham will be behind Moore, JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Dallis Flowers, and Jaylin Simpson. He will be competing with Darrell Baker, who played 469 snaps for the Colts in 2023, Chris Lammons, and Ameer Speed.
“I’m someone who they’ll obviously say is undersized, but I’m someone who plays with a chip on his shoulder. I’m someone who has to be good and excel in different areas because of that. One of the things I can bring is obviously my speed, my game IQ, and my ball production.”
The advantage that Abraham has when it comes to earning a roster spot, along with being a draft pick, is that four of the five players on the depth chart ahead of him are boundary cornerbacks. Of the players competing for the sixth roster spot, only Lammons has some slot experience.