For the third pick in a row, the Detroit Lions addressed their defense.
The Lions drafted Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II at pick No. 157 overall. What is there to know about new Lions corner Keith Abney II?
Here’s five things to know about the Lions newest corner:
Keith Abney II led Arizona State in interceptions the past two seasons
Keith Abney II led Arizona State in both passes defended (9 in 2024, 12 in 2025) and tied for the team lead in interceptions (3 in 2024, 2 in 2025) during the past two seasons.
Keith Abney II allowed 0 touchdowns on 72 targets last season
Keith Abney II kept opposing pass-catching targets out of the end zone. On 72 targets faced in 2025, Abney surrendered zero touchdowns en route to a 46.1 passer rating, per Pro Football Focus.
Keith Abney II allowed just a 44.4% completion rate in 2025
Talk about a sticky cover corner. Keith Abney II allowed just a 44.4% completion rate against in 2025.
Keith Abney II is the 8th all-time Lions draft pick out of Arizona State
Keith Abney II is now the eighth all-time Sun Devil to be drafted by the Lions and the first since defensive back Chase Lucas in 2022. Abney is also the first corner selected by the Lions in the fifth round since Detroit drafted Amani Oruwariye out of Penn State in 2019.
Keith Abney II’s first love was inline skating
In Dane Brugler’s “The Beast,” Brugler breaks down Abney’s inline skating history. Abney started skating at age 2. At age 5, Abney joined the DFW Speed Skating Team in Arlington. Abney won the first of four national championships at age 9.
Abney set multiple national records throughout his skating career, including when he won the 2017 USA Roller Sports National Championship in Lincoln, Neb. Abney posted a time of 27.64 seconds in the 300-meter indoors. Then, Abney set another national record in the 200 (19.4). Abney had aspirations of making the USA Junior World Team, but he gave up skating and focused on football during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brugler had a second to third-round draft grade on Abney.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: 5 things to know about new Detroit Lions CB Keith Abney II
Reporting by Josh Helmer, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
