The Detroit Lions continue to add to their defense with their third consecutive pick on that side of the ball. With their first fifth-round pick (157 overall) the Lions selected Keith Abney, a cornerback out of Arizona State.
At 6-foot, 190 pounds, Abney is a little undersized and may project to nickel at the next level, but as a two-year starter at Arizona State, he was highly productive. He produced 21 passes defended and five interceptions in his last two years. As a result, he earned First Team
All-Big 12 in 2025.
We also talked to Abney at the NFL Combine this past year, and he made our list of five high-character defensive backs to watch in this year’s draft class.
In Detroit, he’ll bring more fire to an open nickel competition, and he could also be a versatile depth piece on the outside.
The Lions have four more picks remaining on the final day of the draft.
Previous Lions picks
- Round 1, Pick 17 — OT Blake Miller, Clemson
- Round 2, Pick 44 — EDGE Derrick Moore, Michigan
- Round 3, Pick 118 — LB Jimmy Rolder, Michigan
Lions remaining picks
- Round 5, Pick 41 (181 overall)
- Round 6, Pick 24 (205 overall)
- Round 6, Pick 32 (213 overall)
- Round 7, Pick 6 (222 overall)
Top remaining needs for Lions:
Offensive tackleDefensive endLinebacker- Tight end
- Nose tackle
Defensive back- Running back
NFL Draft schedule
Day 3
What: Rounds 4-7
When: Saturday, April 25 — Noon ET until around 7 p.m. ET
TV: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network
Online streaming: ESPN app, NFL Plus, ABC, Hulu, Disney+
