Which Lions Day 3 pick will have the best NFL career?

Which Lions Day 3 pick will go on to have the best NFL career?

My answer: As a reminder, here are the Lions’ five Day 3 picks from the 2026 NFL Draft:

• Round 4, pick 118: Jimmy Rolder, LB, Michigan
• Round 5, pick 157: Keith Abney, CB, Arizona State
• Round 5, pick 168: Kendrick Law, Slot WR, Kentucky
• Round 6, pick 205: Skyler Gill-Howard, DL, Texas A&M
• Round 7, pick 222: Tyre West, DL, Tennessee

Of those five, I think I have to jump right to Keith Abney. Abney has two things working in his favor. One, he plays a position that is both a short and long-term need. There’s a very good chance Abney could see early playing time on defense, which should help his development and give him a chance to become a potential starting nickel in this league with the versatility and tenacity to also contribute on the outside (and on special teams).

Additionally, he was widely considered a much better talent than a fifth-round pick. While NFL media analysts don’t necessarily reflect reality, some of the most-respected minds believed Abney to be a Day 2 talent. Here’s where some prominent draft analysts ranked him among the 2026 NFL Draft class:

• Dane Brugler: 61st
• Trevor Sikkema: 80th
• Lance Zierlein: 85th
• Daniel Jeremiah: 98th

I wouldn’t count out Rolder, either. While I think he likely begins his NFL career primarily as a very good special teamer, his inexperience at linebacker (just a one-year starter at Michigan) could mean there’s a lot of growth and potential there. Still, I like Abney ceiling a little more.

Which Lions Day 3 pick from the 2026 draft do you think will have the greatest NFL career? Share your thoughts in the comment section below, and vote in the poll, as well: