Cornerback Micah Abraham was the Colts’ sixth-round pick in this past April’s draft, and in his preseason debut on Sunday, he certainly made the most of his opportunities.
Abraham played 35 snaps on Sunday, spending time both on the boundary and lined up in the nickel. He was very active around the ball and in the run game, recording six tackles–including a tackle for loss–the third-most on the team. In coverage, Abraham allowed one catch for just 10 yards.
That performance in itself is a very solid debut for any Day 3 cornerback. However, that information will end up as minor details in comparison to Abraham’s highlight reel play in the third quarter.
Facing a second-and-one in the third quarter, Denver handed the ball off to running back Audric Estime, who had picked up four yards before Abraham slipped his hand between Estime and the ball, ripping it out and popping it up into the air. Abraham then gathered the ball and raced 45 yards for the score.
“I didn’t see that he stripped it,” said Shane Steichen after the game. “I just saw him get it and then, I was like, dang, who got the strip? And they were like, he did. I’m like, holy smokes. And then I saw it back on the jumbotron, it was a hell of a play by him.”
One of the key traits that Abraham possesses that drew the Colts to him in the draft was his ability to make plays on the football. During his time at Marshall, Abraham finished his career with 12 interceptions and a whopping 43 passes defensed.
Another aspect that the Colts like about Abraham is his versatility. Although he spent most of his snaps in college lined up on the boundary, the Colts believe he can play from the nickel at the NFL level.
“To go in and out gives him some real value and gives him a chance to actually compete and make the roster,” GM Chris 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.”
Prior to Sunday’s game we hadn’t heard much about Abraham on the practice field, but like any late Day 3 pick, he is competing for a roster spot and a role on this Colts team.
While with the Colts’ cornerback room the focus is on who will be starting on the boundary, Abraham is competing with veteran Chris Lammons to be the backup nickel behind Kenny Moore.
Lammons’ advantage comes from his NFL experience, which includes appearing in 46 games over his career. However, with Abraham, as a recent draft pick there is upside and untapped potential that the Colts are hoping to unlock.
And as we saw Sunday, there’s also an innate ability to make plays on the football, which is already translated for him from the college game to the NFL.
“I mean, that’s always great to see,” said Steichen about Abraham. “You getting these late-round draft picks, go make plays, you know what I mean? Go make a name for yourself, and obviously, he made a big-time play there.”