The Broncos’ rookie class has another good showing in Kris Abrams-Draine

The Broncos’ rookie class has another good showing in Kris Abrams-Draine

In a game filled with wild, mind-boggling mistakes and several game-winning moments, that play went under the radar in Denver’s 31-13 win over Indianapolis on Sunday.

It wasn’t like Jonathan Taylor dropped the ball at the goal line because of a game-winning fumble. Or Nik Bonitto catching a lateral throw thrown by a rookie wide receiver and rumbling 50 yards for a touchdown. Or one of Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix’s three interceptions – which his receivers had no chance of catching – or two from Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson.

But make no mistake, this was a great play by Denver rookie cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine just before halftime.

The Colts led 10-7 and had the ball on third-and-15 at the Denver 32 with 17 seconds on the clock. They were already within field goal range and appeared to be aggressive.

Abrams-Draine was in man coverage against Indianapolis speedster Alec Pierce, who entered the game with just 29 catches but averaged 22.5 yards per grab.

Pierce ran a stutter-go up the left sideline and Abrams-Draine calmly turned and ran with him. Anthony Richardson threw the ball slightly underhanded into the end zone.

Abrams-Draine was called out late in the game for defensive pass interference on a very similar play — and what appeared to be a ticky-tack penalty — in Week 13 against Cleveland. This time he turned his head, played the ball and threw it away, resulting in an incomplete pass.

The Colts could have taken a 17-7 lead with a score or had a chance for first-and-goal from the 1-yard line if he had been thwarted.

But he made a play.

The fifth-round rookie has done some of that in his first two NFL games.

“They’re proud of him because of the work he’s done,” secondary coach Jim Leonhard told the Post before Sunday’s game. “He’s a confident guy. It was really great to see him on the field. When you tell him you’re going in, he says, “Okay.” Zero emotion. I’m ready for it. This is the first thing you want to see.

“Then if he goes in there and hopefully does well, hopefully that will boost his confidence going forward.”

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