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 Lions’ defense can use all the help it can get, especially in the secondary, which was once again tested in 2025 with injuries. This isn’t 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 spot—and 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?
Roster impact
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 doesn’t 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 hasn’t 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 can’t win the inside job, and Detroit loves versatile players on its roster.
College career
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 team’s 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.
Strengths and weaknesses
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 isn’t afraid to get physical. He’s 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 he’s fast, he isn’t 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 isn’t an absolute negative.
Overall
Overall, this seems like a good pickup for the Lions’ 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 doesn’t 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. We’ve 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 can’t find a role at the nickelback spot.
Grade: A-
