The Lions may have struck gold in the fifth round—landing a once-projected first-round corner with elite production and a chip on his shoulder. Keith Abney II isn’t just depth; he might be Detroit’s next breakout playmaker.
The Detroit Lions continued to add depth and upside on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II with the No. 157 overall pick in the fifth round. It’s a move that could pay significant dividends, with ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller calling Abney a potential “steal of Day 3.” For a team looking to solidify its secondary after offseason turnover, this selection addresses both immediate need and long-term value.
Detroit entered the draft with questions at cornerback after losing Amik Robertson in free agency. The Lions responded by adding Abney to a room that includes Terrion Arnold, DJ Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary and Nick Whiteside. While that group has experience, inconsistency and injuries plagued the unit last season. Arnold and Reed, in particular, struggled to stay on the field and didn’t produce at the level expected, exposing a lack of reliable depth. Abney’s arrival gives Detroit another competitive, high-upside option who can push for playing time early.
Abney built an impressive résumé at Arizona State, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors and establishing himself as one of the more productive defensive backs in college football. He was a two-time team leader in pass breakups and recorded a career-high 52 tackles in 2024. That same season, he led the Sun Devils in interceptions with three, showcasing his ability to find and finish plays on the ball.
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Abney doesn’t possess elite size for a prototypical outside corner, but he makes up for it with instincts, technique and competitiveness. He finished his college career with six interceptions and consistently demonstrated strong ball skills. In 2025, he allowed just a 44.4% completion rate when targeted and posted an outstanding 46.1 passer rating allowed. His ability to limit big plays is further reflected in his coverage consistency—he was among the leaders in coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown in 2024.
Advanced metrics reinforce Abney’s impact. According to Pro Football Focus, he earned an 86.3 overall defensive grade in 2025, ranking among the top cornerbacks in the nation. His tackling (87.6) and coverage (85.3) grades also placed him firmly in the upper tier of Power 4 defensive backs. He missed just 4.3% of his tackle attempts, highlighting his reliability in run support and open-field situations.
One of Abney’s defining traits is his versatility. Arizona State deployed him primarily in zone coverage (76.1% of snaps), but he also showed flashes in man situations, recording five forced incompletions in man coverage last season. His fluid hips, quick footwork and physicality at the catch point make him well-suited for multiple schemes. However, he will need to clean up his tendency to be overly handsy downfield, as he was flagged for six penalties in 2025 after committing seven the year prior.
Off the field, Abney’s background adds another layer to his profile. Before focusing fully on football, he was a decorated speed skating prodigy, winning four national championships and setting two national records. That athletic background translates to his balance, agility and closing speed on the field. He has also been praised for his competitive nature and role in helping elevate the culture at Arizona State under head coach Kenny Dillingham.
Despite his fifth-round selection, Abney was widely regarded as a much higher-caliber prospect. He ranked No. 66 on the NFL Mock Draft Database consensus board and was, at one point, projected as a late first-round pick earlier in the draft process. That discrepancy between projection and draft position only adds to the perception that Detroit may have landed exceptional value.
Abney models his game after Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward, and the similarities show in his aggressive play style and confidence in coverage. If he can refine his discipline and continue developing technically, he has the tools to become a key contributor in Detroit’s secondary.
For the Lions, this pick reflects a continued emphasis on competition and depth. Abney may not be handed a starting role immediately, but his production, athleticism and mindset give him a strong chance to earn snaps sooner rather than later. If he lives up to the “steal of Day 3” billing, this selection could prove to be one of the most impactful of Detroit’s 2026 draft class.