FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Missouri cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine.

• 2024 NFL Draft Guide

2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kris Abrams-Draine

Kris Abrams-Draine (CB – Missouri)

5’11” – 178 lbs.

Background:

High school receiver/quarterback who played sparingly in 2020, including some snaps at wide receiver, then stepped into a starting role on defense the following year for all but three of the season’s games, lining up predominantly in the slot and allowing just 25/43 targets to be completed (58.1%) for 322 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions, and nine breakups. Kicked out to right cornerback in 2022 and enjoyed a pretty good season, with quarterbacks going 32/63 (50.8%) for 490 yards, four touchdowns, and ten breakups. His second year on the outside was better, allowing just 24/51 (47.1%), 324 yards, and three touchdowns, intercepting four passes and breaking up eleven.

Positives:

Three-year SEC starter with experience both inside and outside who was able to step right into the defense as essentially a first-year cornerback and put together a strong season. Primarily played traditional man coverage from the slot and shuffle/off from the boundary. Has adequate balance/footwork when backpedaling, and was asked to do so relatively more than most college corners. Gets enough depth to keep the play in front of him. Avoids overcommitting and getting burned by double-moves. Feels routes well from press-man and is surprisingly physical to pin when working against outside releases. Does a pretty good job of squeezing the top of underneath routes. Fluid hips and not much gather when transitioning. Seems to be making progress with route recognition. Good timing/technique to go for the breakup when targeted underneath; very solid on-ball production. Adequate extension/positioning in the run game. Has additional value as a return specialist on kickoffs, with a touchdown back in 2021.

Negatives:

A little smaller/thinner than some teams may like on the outside; might struggle to match up against bigger, more physical receivers, and is likely to be asked to put on additional weight. Not the fastest or explosive athlete. Would like to see a somewhat lower center of gravity. Footwork still needs some polish. Doesn’t have the cleanest transitions from his backpedal. More reactive than anticipatory. Still developing his pattern recognition skills; doesn’t look like he always trusts his reads. Flashes physicality but is not a particularly strong or reliable open-field tackler. Would like to see him attack blocks with more aggression.

Summary:

Doesn’t have the most impressive build and still needs to improve his recognition skills and technique a little bit, but has been able to hold up on both the inside and outside at college football’s highest level despite only converting to the position full-time in 2021. Early-career usage may be as a return specialist while he continues to develop, but has the look of a potential slot cornerback with time.

Projection: Round 4