Rookie cornerback Keith Abney II was a solid slot cornerback for the Arizona State Sun Devils prior to getting snagged by the Detroit Lions in this year's NFL draft, and it sure sounds like they expect him to remain at that position headed into 2026.
Head coach Dan Campbell told reporters on Wednesday, the Lions' first day of training camp (but not their first day of padded practice), that he anticipates Abney and free agency signing Roger McCreary to compete head to head for the starting nickelback role in defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard's defense.
Sheppard has been honing in on the nickel being a bigger part of his defensive scheming headed into his second year with the Lions as their DC, and it's a role growing even more important with so many questions around the Lions' secondary amid injuries to their safety room and their loss of Terrion Arnold in the offseason following his arrest and subsequent release.
Abney could figure to be big piece of Lions defense as early as Week 1
Abney has been hyped since getting selected by Detroit in the 5th round of this year's draft, with some experts feeling that he was good enough to go as early as the 3rd round. The former Sun Devil pieced together two interceptions, as well as career-highs in passes defended (12), forced fumbles (2), and sacks (1).
FanSided's draft expert Mike Luciano had some very Lions-esque praise to heap onto Abney after they took him:
"The big riddle surrounding Abney is where his positions in the pros will be, as some GMs will likely limit him to the slot exclusively due to his 5-10 frame. However, no matter where he lines up, his combination of speed, playmaking instincts, and bone-jarring tackling ability that belies his size make him someone that can kick-start an entire secondary on the back of his energy."
"Bone-jarring tackling ability that belies his size," and "someone that can kick-start an entire secondary on the back of his energy," are the exact characteristics you want out of a nickel back that's replacing the energy that was provided by Amik Robertson in 2025.
Obviously, McCreary is the veteran in this battle, and you like to err on the side of the experienced defensive back in any competition of this sort.
But, he also hasn't shown much throughout his NFL career to make him the obvious favorite in this battle. If the team is really intent on getting Abney a majority of his snaps in camp at the slot, it doesn't feel like there's a world where a rookie as hungry as Abney doesn't show out.
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