Keith Abney II is the kind of cornerback who forces offenses to recalibrate -- and adding another young standout defensive back may be how the Jacksonville Jaguars will stay among the most threatening team in the NFL in takeaways for 2026. 

Jacksonville will make its first selection in this year's draft in the second round, with pick No. 56. The team owns 11 total picks, including four in the top 100.

Jaguars Roundtable is checking out a range of prospects in the Class of 2026 that might mesh with Jacksonville's current roster, coaching staff, and the team's X's and O's strategies.

Other defenders profiled in NFL draft analyst Jeremy Ballreich's series include top-end linebackers the likes of Oklahoma's Kendal Daniels, Oregon's Bryce Boettcher, and Anthony Hill Jr. out of Texas, along with cornerback D'Angelo Ponds out of Indiana, and Cincinnati nose tackle Dontay Corleone.

Offensive position players also will be a focal point for the Jags, and our draft profiles will feature offensive linemen like Isaiah World out of Oregon and Penn State's Drew Shelton as well as running back prospects Le'Veon Moss from Texas A&M, Mike Washington Jr. out of Arkansas, and Washington's Jonah Coleman.  The Jaguars could also consider adding depth at tight end with either Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers or Jack Endries out of Texas, and at receiver with Southern Cal's Ja'Kobi Lane.

Here we take a closer look at Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney.

Abney doesn’t win with flash, theatrics, or empty swagger -- he wins with discipline, toughness, and a technician’s understanding of leverage. At Arizona State, Abney became the quiet backbone of the Sun Devils’ secondary, a steady presence in a program that’s seen its share of turbulence. Through it all, the Waxahachie, Texas, native emerged as one of the most reliable cover men in the Pac‑12.

At 5‑foot-10 and 190 pounds, with a wiry, competitive frame, Abney embodies the prototype of a modern outside cornerback who can survive on an island. His game is built on footwork and patience. He doesn’t panic at the line, doesn’t overreact to the first move, and doesn’t give receivers free access.

Instead, he mirrors with calm, controlled steps, keeping his hips loose and his eyes disciplined. Arizona State trusted him in press, off‑man, and pattern‑match concepts, and he handled each with the same composed, detail‑oriented approach.

Abney’s best trait is his ability to stay in phase. He’s not a burner, but he’s efficient -- no wasted motion, no false steps, no unnecessary grabs. He understands route stems, anticipates breaks, and positions himself to squeeze throwing windows without drawing flags.

College quarterbacks quickly learned that testing him on timing routes was a losing proposition. His click‑and‑close ability is sharp, and he arrives at the catch point with controlled aggression, playing through the hands rather than through the body.

In zone coverage, Abney shows high football IQ. He communicates, passes off routes cleanly, and understands spacing. He’s not a gambler, but he’s opportunistic -- he’ll jump a route when the quarterback’s eyes give him the green light. His ball production isn’t gaudy, but it’s meaningful.

When he gets his hands on the ball, it’s usually because he diagnosed something early, not because he got lucky.

Against the run, Abney is competitive and unafraid. He’s not the biggest corner, but he’s a willing tackler who takes good angles and doesn’t shy from contact. Arizona State used him frequently as a force defender, and he held up well, showing the kind of toughness coaches trust on early downs. He’s not a tone‑setter, but he’s a tone‑sustainer -- the guy who does his job every snap, even when the play isn’t coming his way.

Athletically, Abney is more smooth than explosive. He’s not the twitchiest cornerback in the class, and he may never be a pure matchup eraser against elite vertical threats. But he compensates with technique, instincts, and a deep understanding of how to stay connected to routes. His floor is high because his game is built on fundamentals, not traits that fade with time.

Where Abney really shines is as a dependable CB2 who can play immediately. He’s the type of corner who stabilizes a secondary -- smart, consistent, and rarely out of position. He may not be a headline‑grabber, but he’s the player defensive coordinators trust when they need a clean rep on third‑and‑six.

Abney, who turned 21 in January, fits best in a system that values disciplined coverage, pattern‑matching intelligence, and corners who can play both press and off‑man without becoming liabilities.

He’s tailor‑made for defenses that emphasize communication and technique over raw athletic chaos. In the right scheme, he becomes the steady heartbeat of the cornerback room -- never the loudest, never the flashiest, but always the one doing the job exactly how it’s drawn up.

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