Kris Abrams-Draine Bio
Kris Abrams-Draine (born October 4, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers, where he developed into one of the top defensive backs in the Southeastern Conference. A native of Mobile, Alabama, he attended Spanish Fort High School before launching his college career at the University of Missouri and eventually being drafted by Denver in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Kris Abrams-Draine was born on October 4, 2001, in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in nearby Spanish Fort, where he attended Spanish Fort High School and emerged as a multi-talented athlete. As a youth, he was drawn to sports from an early age, and his high school years gave him a chance to showcase his skills on both sides of the football.
At Spanish Fort, Abrams-Draine lined up primarily as a wide receiver for most of his prep career before moving to quarterback as a senior. In that final season, he passed for 723 yards, rushed for 1,745 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns, demonstrating the kind of versatility and athleticism that would later catch the attention of college recruiters. His senior film helped him earn offers from several SEC programs.
Originally committed to Louisiana State University (LSU) and later the University of Mississippi, Abrams-Draine ultimately chose the University of Missouri, where he would spend the next four seasons and reshape his future on the defensive side of the ball. His decision to head to Missouri marked the beginning of a successful collegiate transition that laid the foundation for his professional career.
Path to American Football
After arriving at the University of Missouri in 2020, Abrams-Draine was used as a wide receiver during his true freshman year, appearing in five games. The Missouri coaching staff quickly recognized that his athletic profile and ball skills might be better suited to defense, and in 2021 he made the switch to cornerback. That decision would prove pivotal for his development as a player.
His first season at cornerback in 2021 was productive. He played in all 13 games, earning 10 starts, recording 37 tackles and three interceptions while adjusting to the demands of the position. The experience gave him the opportunity to refine his coverage technique, learn NFL-style route concepts, and compete against elite SEC wide receivers week after week.
By his junior and senior seasons, Abrams-Draine had become a full-time starter and one of the most reliable defensive backs in the conference. His growth earned him first-team All-SEC honors in 2023, recognition that elevated his draft stock and set the stage for his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Kris Abrams-Draine Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
Abrams-Draine’s early career at Missouri was defined by a dramatic position change. After a modest freshman year as a wide receiver in 2020, he transitioned to cornerback in 2021, an adjustment that required him to learn new techniques, footwork, and coverage responsibilities in a very short window. The transition, while demanding, allowed him to unlock the athletic potential that coaches had seen coming out of Spanish Fort.
In his first season on defense, he appeared in every game for the Tigers, started 10 contests, and finished with 37 tackles and three interceptions. Those numbers demonstrated that the move to cornerback was the right call, and they gave Missouri a foundational piece for its secondary heading into 2022.
Missouri Tigers (2020–2023) and SEC Play
From 2022 through 2023, Abrams-Draine served as a starting cornerback for the Missouri Tigers, playing a featured role in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences. His coverage assignments frequently included high-profile SEC receivers, and his ability to match up against top-tier talent helped solidify the Tigers’ secondary.
His senior season in 2023 was his most decorated. He earned first-team All-SEC recognition, an honor that reflected his consistency, ball production, and overall impact on the Missouri defense. The award confirmed his standing as one of the top cornerback prospects in college football and helped push his name up draft boards across the league.
Denver Broncos Era (2024–Present)
Abrams-Draine was selected by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, going 145th overall. The selection marked the realization of a long-term goal and gave him the chance to compete for a role in a secondary that already featured All-Pro cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
He made his NFL debut in Week 13 of the 2024 season against the Cleveland Browns. When veteran cornerback Levi Wallace struggled against former Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy and was benched in the fourth quarter, Abrams-Draine stepped in as the outside corner opposite Patrick Surtain II. He helped close out a 41–32 victory over Cleveland, providing an early glimpse of his potential at the professional level.
Through the end of the 2025 regular season, Abrams-Draine had appeared in multiple games for Denver and recorded 39 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 1 interception. Those numbers reflect a young defensive back gradually earning more responsibility within the Broncos’ defensive scheme.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the field, Abrams-Draine is known for his smooth athleticism, fluid hips, and competitive coverage skills. His background as a former quarterback and wide receiver gives him an intuitive understanding of route combinations, which helps him anticipate throws and break on the football. Coaches have praised his football IQ and his willingness to play physical at the line of scrimmage.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable early professional moments is his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns in 2024, where he was thrust into a high-pressure situation late in the game and helped seal a 41–32 win. His first-team All-SEC selection in 2023 and his fifth-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft both stand as significant career milestones in his still-young journey.
Kris Abrams-Draine Career Wins
As a young defensive player, individual win totals are not the primary measure of Abrams-Draine’s value. His early professional highlight came during the 2024 season, when he helped Denver secure a 41–32 victory over the Cleveland Browns in his debut. In college, his first-team All-SEC selection in 2023 reflected a body of work that included key defensive performances throughout the Tigers’ SEC schedule.
Missouri Tigers Highlights
During his time at the University of Missouri, Abrams-Draine developed into one of the conference’s most consistent cornerbacks. His 2021 season featured 37 tackles and three interceptions across 13 games, while his 2023 campaign earned him first-team All-SEC recognition, the highest individual honor of his college career.
Other Wins & Performances
Before college, Abrams-Draine starred at Spanish Fort High School, where he passed for 723 yards, rushed for 1,745 yards, and scored 30 total touchdowns as a senior. Those numbers helped establish him as one of the top multiposition athletes in the state of Alabama.
Kris Abrams-Draine Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Kris Abrams-Draine’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in the Mobile, Alabama, area, where he attended Spanish Fort High School and developed into a top-level football prospect before heading to Missouri.
Personal Life
Abrams-Draine keeps his personal life largely private, and no verified information about a spouse, partner, or children is publicly available. He stands 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs approximately 178 pounds, according to official team listings. He remains focused on his early NFL career with the Denver Broncos.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represents Kris Abrams-Draine’s first full year of meaningful NFL action with the Denver Broncos. After a debut campaign that ended with a regular rotation role and a memorable first appearance against the Cleveland Browns, he entered 2025 with an opportunity to take on a larger share of the defensive snaps alongside Patrick Surtain II.
Through the end of the 2025 regular season, Abrams-Draine recorded 39 total tackles, 3 pass deflections, and 1 interception, steadily growing into his role within Denver’s secondary. His playing time increased as the season progressed, and he became a regular presence on special teams and in the defensive backfield.
Looking ahead, Abrams-Draine’s outlook in Denver is promising. With his athletic upside, SEC pedigree, and a year of professional experience now under his belt, he is positioned to compete for a larger starting role. Continued development in technique, strength, and consistency will be key as the Broncos build their defense around a young and promising core of defensive backs.