NFL.com Thinks They Found Our Draft Sleeper
As Lions fans continue getting acquainted with the newest crop of players ready to put on the Honolulu Blue, the national media is already picking out potential breakout stars from our draft class.
NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice recently named Keith Abney II a sleeper for Detroit. The Arizona State cornerback went in the fifth round at pick No. 157, another piece in Brad Holmes’ ongoing project to fix our secondary.
Here’s what caught Filice’s attention: “Abney doesn’t blow you away with speed or size, but the 5-10, 187-pounder plays with an endearing chip on his shoulder, providing physicality and premium ball production.”
The numbers back it up. Abney tallied 21 passes defended and five interceptions during his two years starting for the Sun Devils, playing mostly outside corner. But Filice thinks his NFL future might be in the slot.
“His best NFL role could come in the nickel,” he noted.
The Abney Breakdown
Given how injury-prone the cornerback position can be, Abney might get his shot sooner than later. Erik Schlitt broke down what the rookie brings to Allen Park:
“Feisty in press man coverage, Abney will make you fight to get past him and into your route. That being said, he can get to physical once the receiver releases (13 penalties in the last two seasons as a starter), something he acknowledged that he is actively working on correcting. Abney has solid ball skills, and his competitive nature helps him get in position to fight for the ball when it’s in the air.”
“As a tackler, Abney shows strength in his technique and possesses a finisher’s mentality — something we’ve said about several of the Lions draft picks in this class.”
A fifth-round corner with attitude and ball skills? In Detroit, we’ll take it. Holmes has a track record of finding gems in the later rounds, and Abney fits the mold of guys who play bigger than their measurables.
Around the Pride
The Lions media team is in midseason form already, dropping quality content that makes other franchises look amateur by comparison. They quizzed new tackle Blake Miller about Blake Miller, and honestly, it’s exactly the kind of thing that makes you remember why this organization feels different now.
Jahmyr Gibbs showed up to watch the Pistons’ playoff win, because apparently our running back has time to be a good luck charm for other Detroit teams. Kyle Brandt thinks Gibbs will be in MVP conversation this year, which feels both completely reasonable and terrifying to say out loud as a Lions fan.
The community lost Tony Smith, a 39-year-old Lions fan whose family is dealing with expenses after caring for him. Dan Miller shared the GoFundMe if you’re in a position to help a fellow member of the Pride.
Over in media news, longtime WXYZ sports director Brad Galli is moving on but staying in Detroit to cover our teams. Good. The guy knows his stuff and Detroit sports needs people who actually understand what they’re watching.
Is Keith Abney II the next late-round steal or are we just setting ourselves up for heartbreak again? Drop your take in the comments below.
