ALLEN PARK — The Lions added depth at wide receiver and defensive back with a pair of fifth-round picks on Sautrday.
The Lions made their third straight defensive draft pick, selecting CB Keith Abney II in the fifth round (157th overall) on Saturday.
In 2025, Abney started 12 games at Arizona State and led the Sun Devils with 12 PBUs. He also notched 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 44 tackles and a sack. In 2024 He started all 14 games and led the teams with 9 PBUs and 3 interceptions.
He was projected by some to be a third-round pick but slid to fifth.
“The wait doesn’t even matter. I’m just glad to be a Lion. It means everything — a great program, great culture, cheat coaches, great people around. I’m blessed to be here,’’ Abney said on a Zoom call. “Feeling all the emotions, dropped a couple tears. It’s a dream come true and the Lions happen to be one of my favorite teams.’’
He said the Lions have been one of his favorites since 2021 or so mentioning Megatron, Calvin Johnson.
Abney lists his football IQ as one of his strengths. “I pride myself on being a smart player, watch a lot of film and understand concepts and understand formations, pick up on tendencies. My feet and my toughness. That’s why I love this team – it’s a tough team I’m joining and I’ll fit right in,’’ Abney said.
Abney, 21, was a four-time national champion speed skater growing up. He gave it up in ninth grade but credits the roller sport for his endurance.
NFL analyst Lance Zierlein’s wrote about Abney: “Feisty boundary corner with the makeup to slide inside and become a problem for offenses as a pro nickelback.”
Then the Lions sent fifth-and sixth-round picks to the Buffalo Bills to trade up 13 spots to 168 in the fifth round to draft to select WR Kendrick Law.
The 5-11 wide receiver played his first three seasons at Alabama before transferring to Kentucky for the 2025 season. He led the Wildcats with 53 receptions, 540 receiving yards (10.2 per), 3 receiving TDs. He played in 12 games with 8 starts (8-53-6.6 rushing; 9-174-19.3 KR; 3-8-2.7 PR).
Zierlein’s report: “Alabama transfer with a compact build whose primary function at Kentucky was to add yards after the catch on quick throws near the line of scrimmage. Law ran a limited route tree, with most of his 2025 targets thrown behind the line. Tight hips dull downfield route breaks and he rarely runs routes at his true speed. He has strong hands to make contested grabs and breaks tackles on a regular basis with the ball in his hands. Law’s special-teams background at Alabama helps but might not be enough for him to stick on a roster.”
In the first four rounds the Lions drafted OT Blake Miller (17th overall), EDGE Derrick Moore (44th) and LB Jimmy Rolder (118th).
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