Keith Abney II NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Detroit Lions CB

The Detroit Lions selected Arizona State CB Keith Abney II with the No. 157 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Keith Abney is a true competitor who fights for every inch and then some to make plays on the football field. He sees the game quickly and fluidly, communicates with his teammates, and triggers throwing on motions and route breaks.

The 5'10", 187-pound former 3-star recruit has enjoyed another great performance in his junior season with the Sun Devils after breaking out as a sophomore. He built on that by adding 44 tackles (36 solo), one tackle for loss, one sack, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and two forced fumbles.

Abney's work ethic shows in his improvement in both the physical and mental aspects of the game, and NFL teams will see that. He projects best into the nickel but can handle a versatile role with his physicality on the boundary.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Keith Abney II highlights

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Where He Wins

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— Abney can align as a boundary or nickel corner and shows good technique from multiple zone and man coverages. He plays with sound footwork, smooth hip transitions, and focused eyes in coverage.

— The former speed skating champion has a track background that allows him to turn and run downfield in man and click and close downhill with urgency. He disrupts catch points regularly with his quickness and ID skills.

— Communication, route recognition, and sound technique give him the tools to see plays as they happen, pass off routes into other zones, while maintaining proper depth, and take options away from quarterbacks.

— Plays with a physical and competitive style in man coverage through the route stem and down the field. His processing gets him in the right spots and then he attacks the catch point with great timing.

Areas of Improvement

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— Abney's physicality can translate to holds and interference calls at the top of routes and down the field when he can't locate the football. There are moments of ball-tracking lapses when his instinct is to grab the receiver.

— Overcommitting to releases and route intention causes his hips to open prematurely downfield, giving a receiver easier paths to getting open.

— While he isn't afraid to throw his body around in the run game or downhill, he gets caught on blocks and struggles to disengage.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

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GRADE: 7.1 (High-Level Backup/Starter Upside — 3rd Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State (7.1 in 2024), CB Quincy Riley, Louisville (7.1 in 2025), CB Derion Kendrick, Georgia (7.1 in 2022)

OVERALL RANK: 95

POSITION RANK: CB14

PRO COMPARISON: Michael Carter II

Measurables and Testing Data

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Height: 5'10"
Weight: 187
Hand Size: 9 ¾"
Arm Length: 30"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: N/A
10-yard split: N/A
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
3 cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: 15