2026 Detroit Lions draft roundtable: Best value pick

Which Lions 2026 draft pick presented the best value?

Erik Schlitt: Keith Abney (fifth round)

Beyond the consensus board value (+96), Abney is a player who I believe has starter-level upside, both inside and out. Lions general manager Brad Holmes has a habit of pulling starters out of the later rounds, and Abney could be his hidden gem this draft cycle.

Al Karsten: Keith Abney (fifth round)

Long-term, Blake Miller may end up looking like a no-brainer steal in the back half of the teens—someone who probably should’ve been in top-10 consideration. However, for this exercise, I’ll go with fifth-rounder Keith Abney II.

Despite Roger McCreary bringing experience and pedigree as a former second-round pick, the Lions may have quietly landed a player in Abney who pushes for—and potentially takes over—the nickel role early in the season. He’s competitive as a tackler, disruptive at the catch point, and was a foundational culture piece in Kenny Dillingham’s first recruiting class at Arizona State.

The Lions, and the rest of the league, may soon find out that the 30th defensive back selected in this draft may have been one of the better Day 3 values in the class, with tenacious starting nickel potential that far outpaces his draft slot.

Ryan Mathews: Keith Abney (fifth round)

Abney II was one of the biggest steals in the 2026 NFL Draft according to the consensus big board. Add in the fact Detroit entered the draft in need of a long-term contingency at nickel corner and this pick represents the best value pick by the Lions.

Brandon Knapp: Keith Abney (fifth round)

Abney was projected to go higher than he was taken. Could it be his high amount of penalties (13) in two seasons that scared teams away? Perhaps his size (5-foot-9) was it? I don’t know, but either way, the Lions might have gotten a starter in the late rounds again, just like they did with Christian Mahogany.

John Whiticar: Keith Abney (fifth round)

I will be surprised if this isn’t a sweep for Abney. It’s rare to get starting-caliber players on Day 3, but the Lions may have gotten just that with Abney. He is a player that should have at least 50 picks earlier, but alas, he fell into Detroit’s lap. Given Abney’s draft position, I do think that Roger McCreary will be the favorite to start at nickel, but Abney could realistically win the job with a strong training camp.

Jeremy Reisman: Keith Abney (fifth round)

Unlike last year, I’m not going to break from the consensus here. Abeny is not only a player many thought would be gone by the third round, but he has a clear path to challenge for a starting job as soon as his rookie season. If Abney can live up to his reputation among media draft experts, this has a chance to be a Day 3 steal on the level of Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, and Christian Mahogany.