The Detroit Lions' 2026 draft class is, as of now, one of their best since 2023. After going 9-8 in 2025, they landed in the first round with the 17th overall pick. That allowed them to snag one of the better tackles available in Blake Miller. With the front office also having avoided any big trades ahead of the draft, they had plenty of other picks to utilize for trade ups and steals after that first pick.
One of those steals was cornerback Keith Abney II in the fifth round. Looking at the value gap between him and their other fifth rounder, Kendrick Law, it's obvious that this selection was a huge get for Detroit on Day 3. Law is seen as a potential practice team candidate, whereas Abney can likely get starters snaps with a big performance during OTAs.
Another element to his game that should be exciting for the Lions and defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard is his flexibility. He can play either the nickel or as an outside corner, and according to team reporter Tim Twentyman, Abney's open to both roles.
"I think I can definitely play outside and inside. The football IQ, being able to learn quick and just the instincts and just having versatility and the will to win. Whatever coach wants me to play, that's what we're going to do."
Abney open to either nickel or outside role within Lions secondary
Abney added in his interview with Twentyman that one thing that excites him about the CB position is being able to control the game, and your opponent, with physicality. He said, "You get a joy from that as a defensive player moving people and controlling them with your body making them move back. I kind of got a thrill out of that as I got older, bigger and stronger."
That has to excite the Lions greatly, as they struggled to get guys down in 2025. They were 7th-lowest in the NFL in total tackles. A guy like Abney who seems to relish the opportunity to flex his tackling and physicality in the DB room feels like a a huge plus for Detroit's defense. He had 44 total tackles in 12 games played for Arizona State in 2025, and 52 in 2024 through 14 games.
As of now, the Lions have an unbelievable amount of options for their NB role. They had decent success with Amik Robertson at that position in 2025, but of course, health played a huge role in just how effective he could be as just one starting inside defender in the secondary.
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Abney joins a room that now features both Roger McCreary and Christian Izien via free agency, and homegrown Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who needs a big performance in preseason and in OTAs to have a shot at moving up the depth chart at NB.
It helps Abney greatly that he's comfortable playing outside corner, as well, since his best shot at earning a decent amount of snaps could come as being a backup to D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold. Both corners have dealt with injury woes over the last few seasons, so having Abney available to step up in their place would be huge.
It seems like the Lions did exactly what they wanted to do this offseason without needing to drop a huge bag on a veteran - they landed the perfect DB insurance in Abney.
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