The Detroit Lions may have landed one of the biggest steals of the final day of the 2026 NFL Draft. Taking Arizona State's Keith Abney II in the fourth round was somewhat of a surprise, given that he was projected to be selected on Day 2.
While undersized and -- at times -- undisciplined, not to mention some doubts about his actual position in the pros, Abney has the tools and mentality of a true ball-winner. The Lions have a diamond in the rough to deploy all over the secondary, which should keep Terrion Arnold and Roger McCreary on their toes.
Keith Abney II Could Climb his Way up the Depth Chart in Detroit
The Lions went with a 'best player available' approach when they stole Abney II in the fourth round, but that doesn't mean he won't help with a positional need. He's excellent for the team's man-heavy scheme, and his ability to play both outside and in the slot should give defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard a dynamic weapon to work with and get creative with.
Abney stands 5'9", but he plays much bigger than his frame suggests. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with unmatched competitiveness and a boulder on his shoulder the size of Michigan. His addition bodes well for a true replacement for Amik Robertson if he can keep penalties to a minimum, which is, admittedly, a big 'if'.
Given his prowess against the run, the Lions could also try to use him as a smaller safety in certain packages, though he looks better suited for a slot cornerback role. Regardless of where he plays, Abney will provide top-notch energy and amazing ball skills.
His production is that of someone much bigger than him; he led the team with 12 pass breakups last season, and he had five picks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 21 passes defensed in his two years as a starter for the Sun Devils. He has a "my ball" mentality and won't hesitate to put his body on the line to make a play.
Coverage-wise, Abney's numbers also justified an earlier selection. Opposing quarterbacks completed just 44.4 percent of their passes in his direction, owning a passer rating of 46.1 when targeting him, according to Pro Football Focus. Abney allowed 32 receptions but allowed just 10 yards per catch, along with nine pass breakups.
The Lions are entering a make-or-break campaign for Kelvin Sheppard. He's drawn some buzz as a potential head coaching candidate down the line, so he'll have to step up after a disappointing first campaign as Aaron Glenn's replacement.
This team brought McCreary in free agency, but they should keep him on a short leash and give their rookie a chance to shine. Also, if Arnold continues to struggle, perhaps testing him on the outside might not be the wildest idea, undersized and all.
More Detroit Lions News and Rumors:
Add us as a preferred source on Google