Why the Slide?: Kris Abrams-Draine, CB, Missouri

This series was created a number of years ago in response to questions about why certain well-known prospects went unselected in NFL drafts. For these articles, I reach out to sources with NFL teams to find out why their organizations passed on drafting a given player, and/or, what were the reasons for other teams to pass on that prospect. The positive response to “Why Undrafted” and questions from readers about why prospects were drafted lower than the media expectations led us to create the parallel series “Why the Slide?”

Both series are back this year. Feel free to email me requests for Why the Slide? and Why Undrafted? at [email protected]. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but I will do my best and definitely will respond to the email.

The Missouri Tigers fielded a very tough team in 2023, led by a talented defense. While teammates Darius Robinson and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. received the most attention, Abrams-Draine was a good prospect in his own right. Throughout the leadup to the 2024 NFL Draft, Abrams-Draine was viewed as a potential second-day pick. Thus, it was surprising to many when Abrams-Draine slid to the fifth round.

Team sources told WalterFootball.com there was not any specific reason why Abrams-Draine slid in the draft. Multiple team sources said there was nothing like an explicit medical or character issue. They said they felt that each year some players just happen to slide, and Abrams-Draine was one of those prospects for 2024.

The Denver Broncos ended his slide, and that was a good landing spot for him. Denver has a veteran in Levi Wallace projected to start across from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, but Abrams-Draine could immediately compete with Jaquan McMillian to be the starting nickel corner. Wallace also is a candidate to be upgraded, so if Abrams-Draine plays well, he has two spots where he could be a possible starter alongside Surtain. While Abrams-Draine could be disappointed that he slid, he landed a good opportunity to establish a pro career.