{"id":279086,"date":"2026-04-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=279086"},"modified":"2026-04-26T18:23:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T22:23:59","slug":"detroit-lions-rookie-could-be-one-of-the-2026-nfl-draft-steals-keith-abney-ii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/04\/27\/detroit-lions-rookie-could-be-one-of-the-2026-nfl-draft-steals-keith-abney-ii\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Lions Rookie Could Be One Of the Steals of the 2026 Draft"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Brad Holmes and the Detroit Lions enjoyed a very successful 2026 NFL Draft<\/span><\/a>. Although it was not one of the flashier Draft hauls, Holmes plugged the most critical roster holes while adding depth. He selected prospects who best typify the physicality of the Lions’ style and the character traits of toughness, resilience, leadership, and football savvy that have come to define the Lions in the Holmes\/Dan Campbell era.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The pair have always been in lockstep about the type of players they acquire. Holmes acknowledged that again this past weekend. \u201cAs long as me and Dan are seeing it the same way in terms of they\u2019re football players that fit us.\u201d Over the past five seasons, he\u2019s developed an uncanny reputation for spotting underrated players who become elite NFL stars. Now, Holmes may have found another diamond in the rough in his 2026 class. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Detroit Lions Rookie Could Be One Of the 2026 Draft Steals<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

This year, one rookie in particular, Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II, remained on the board much longer than expected. However, that worked in Detroit\u2019s favor because he could turn out to be one of the 2026 Draft\u2019s biggest steals.<\/p>\r\n

A Gifted Athlete<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Called \u201cone of the most consistent Sun Devil athletes<\/span><\/a> across all sports this century,\u201c Abney, a 5\u20199 7\/8\u201d 187 lb. Junior was a 2025 All-Big 12 honoree. He was also a durable and reliable athlete, recording 26 consecutive starts. \u00a0Graded an overall 86.3 PFF.com<\/span><\/a> on 785 snaps with two interceptions, nine PBUs, and two forced fumbles, Abney didn\u2019t allow a single touchdown on 72 targets.<\/p>\r\n

According to ESPN, his 20 pass breakups over the last two years<\/span><\/a> set a record for the most in Big-12 history.\u00a0After his selection, Mel Kiper predicted he could be the Steal of Day 3 and praised his ability to see things, to read and react, and diagnose routes.<\/p>\r\n

At the NFL Combine, Abney impressed NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein<\/span><\/a> with his fierce competitiveness. He noted, \u201cAbney\u2019s coverage IQ and competitiveness are loud on tape\u2026 He pairs impressive instincts and recognition with the ball skills of a receiver.\u201d\u00a0An AFC Regional Scout revealed about Abney, \u201cHe\u2019s trusted and respected in Arizona State\u2019s building. Very competitive and very smart.\u201d In addition, Abney was a member of the Pat Tillman Leadership Council.<\/p>\r\n

What Abney Brings To The Detroit Defense\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\r\n

A former nationally ranked speed skater, Abney credits his skating with helping him develop core and lower-body strength, as well as endurance and angle stability. Acknowledging how his stronger endurance helps in long drives, Abney said, \u201cJust the endurance…being able to have my endurance, my lungs. I feel I can go for a long time, go at a high intensity for a long time, so that\u2019s gonna help.\u201d<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Abney\u2019s physicality and intuitive style of play will fit well within Kelvin Sheppard\u2019s defense.\u00a0 <\/span>A versatile athlete who is accustomed to lining up in different formations, Abney can play outside cornerback or nickel slot. Holmes described Abney in his post-draft media session as, \u201canother instinctive guy that could find the football, he could trigger, he can tackle, he\u2019s pretty sticky. I was just \u2013 he was just a simple one because we had him ranked a couple rounds higher than where he was, so that was a no-brainer for us.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\n

<\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\r\n

Abney, Thrilled to Be A Detroit Lions Teammate\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

At his post-draft media introduction, Abney was immediately asked about <\/b>his unexpected slide to the fourth round. Brushing it aside, he focused on the result. \u201cMan, the wait doesn\u2019t even matter, man. I\u2019m just glad to be a Lion. It means everything — great program, great, great culture, great coaches, great, great people around. I\u2019m just blessed to be here. Dropped a couple of tears.\u201d<\/i><\/i><\/p>\r\n

Abney grew up watching Calvin Johnson play and said how the Lions just happened to be one of his favorite teams. Speaking of his admiration for Dan Campbell, he called (his draft) a dream come true.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Asked what he feels are his best attributes and where he needs to improve, Abney responded, “My best attribute, I guess, starts with the IQ. That’s something I pride myself on, just being a smart player, being able to watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations and pick up on tendencies\u2026 and my feet, of course, got great feet, and my toughness. That’s why I love this fit. This is a perfect fit. I feel like it’s a tough team that I’m joining, and I feel I’m going to fit right in. And then something that I want to work on, I’ll just say I had some penalties in college, just want to clean that up. And that’s something I’ve been working on this off-season.\u201d<\/i> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n

Abney\u2019s Role In The Lions Secondary\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Season-ending injuries to Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph significantly impacted the Lions’ secondary. Now, as the pair continues to recover from injuries, Holmes reiterated that both players are headed in the right direction. But when they will return to the active roster is unknown. Terrion Arnold\u2019s availability is also uncertain due to his ongoing legal problems. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

In the meantime, Abney will be competing for a starting role at camp against Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary, Nick Whiteside, DJ Reed, and Ennis Rakestraw. Holmes was asked how he sees Abney\u2019s role in the Lions’ secondary and whether he will play nickel. Clarifying the nickel role requires a lot, including speed and vertical matching. Holmes said he wants to see Abney\u2019s instincts and toughness, but he sounded confident in his rookie’s abilities. If Abney can duplicate the consistent production he had at Arizona State, he could end up as one of the 2026 Draft steals. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

After the free agency acquisitions and the NFL Draft, it sounds like the Detroit Lions injury-depleted secondary will be just fine this season as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n

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