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The Detroit Lions selected cornerback Keith Abney II from Arizona State with their fifth-round pick at No. 157. This addition aims to bolster the team's secondary, which has faced challenges due to injuries.
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TEMPE, AZ - NOVEMBER 15: Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Keith Abney II (1) celebrates a big play during the college football game between the West Virginia Mountaineers and the Arizona State Sun Devils on November 15, 2025 at Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Detroit Lions got some help in the secondary with their first pick in the fifth round at No. 157, drafting cornerback Keith Abney II out of Arizona State. The Lionsâ defense can use all the help it can get, especially in the secondary, which was once again tested in 2025 with injuries. This isnât a pick that questions the future of former first-round pick Terrion Arnold, but more so gives the team options for depth at the nickel spotâand could be a warning for Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Detroit could use all the cornerbacks it can take, as that position has been a revolving door for years. Hopefully, this pick sticks around for a while and can compete for a roster spot. Should the Lions have gone elsewhere with this pick, or was this one a no-brainer?
When it comes to this pick, I see Abney being a depth piece on this team with the chance to compete for the starting nickel cornerback job. The team doesnât have a clear successor after former nickel corner Amik Robertson left in free agency. Rakestraw Jr. has had injuries derail his chances of starting, and the team signed Roger McCreary in free agency as the leading candidate to win the nickel job. While Abney II can play both outside and inside, most scouts think he would be best at the nickel spot.
This pick leads me to believe that the Lions want to see who could be the best option for them on the inside. Is it a rookie in Abney, a veteran in McCreary or Izien, or their own homegrown talent in Rakestraw Jr. who hasnât stayed on the field to prove himself? With his ability to play on the outside as well, he could be seen as depth out there if he canât win the inside job, and Detroit loves versatile players on its roster.
I canât believe #ArizonaState CB Keith Abney II is still available entering Day 3.
Heâs a fantastic competitor thatâs racked up a lot of ball production in his career. Had such a good season at ASU, heâll be an absolute steal for someone today. pic.twitter.com/OOG86SUr71
Keith Abney II is a cornerback drafted by the Detroit Lions from Arizona State University.
The Detroit Lions selected Keith Abney II with their fifth-round pick at No. 157.
Keith Abney II provides depth at the nickel position and aims to strengthen a secondary that has struggled with injuries.
The Lions' cornerback position has been unstable for years, often affected by injuries and inconsistent performance.

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â Andy (@AndyyNFL) April 25, 2026
After being a depth piece his freshman year, Abney took over a starting role in 2024 and was one of the best defensive players for the next two years at Arizona State. He finished his career with 98 tackles, 21 pass deflections, six interceptions, two forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, a tackle for loss, and a sack. In his 26 starts, he was one of the most consistent players on the roster and a key contributor to the teamâs 2024 CFP playoff run.
In 2024, he was on the All-Big 12 Second Team, but improved to the first team in 2025, also appearing on the PFSN All-American first team.
ASU CB Keith Abney II is a sticky corner can be deployed in press man or off man, but shows his twitch and fluid transitions allow him to break on passes with ease. Disrupts the catch point well pic.twitter.com/nA5zfpNlyz
â Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 15, 2026
Where Abney shines is in his coverage and tackling. According to PFF, Abney is ranked seventh out of cornerbacks for tackling (87.6), tied for 13th in defense overall (86.3), and 22nd in coverage (85.3). Last season, he allowed 32 catches on 72 targets for 321 yards and zero touchdowns, an improvement from allowing 550 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. As a cornerback, he isnât afraid to get physical. Heâs a solid tackler who gets his target down quickly and effectively.
Where he struggles is with penalties, having racked up 13 in his two seasons starting, so he can draw attention from the officials with his hands. While heâs fast, he isnât the quickest, as receivers can use double-moves to separate themselves from him. His size at five-foot-nine makes things more difficult for him, but we know with Robertson in Detroit that size isnât an absolute negative.
Keith Abney II (5â11 195) Arizona State
- Excellent instincts
- Ball skills with 6 career interceptions
- Impressive footwork
- Physical at the catch point
- Reliable tackler with just a 4.3% missed tackle rate in 2025
- 44.4% completion rate allowed against him in 2025
- Hip⊠pic.twitter.com/KzhGI8pCha
â Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) February 19, 2026
Overall, this seems like a good pickup for the Lionsâ depth that is a low-risk, high upside. They get a guy who could compete for a starting role at the nickel spot who was projected by some to be a Day 2 pick. While he does draw penalties, the fact that he can make plays on defense and can be a ballhawk is what this defense needs more of. The cornerback room currently doesnât have any guys that stand out in that department.
For this pick, I see it as a great value for someone who could turn into something, and worst case, he can be a backup and potentially play special teams. Weâve seen this team have a gauntlet of players lined up at cornerback throughout the year, so he could have his shot if someone goes down. Also, he can play outside, so the team could test him out there if he canât find a role at the nickelback spot.
Grade: A-