The Detroit Lions addressed their cornerback depth in the 2026 NFL Draft, though they waited longer than many analysts expected to do so.

In the fifth round, Detroit found strong value by selecting Keith Abney II out of Arizona State Sun Devils football with the No. 157 overall pick. Many draft analysts projected Abney as a potential top-100 prospect, making the pick one of the more intriguing value selections on Day 3 of the draft.

Abney spent much of his college career playing outside cornerback, but scouts believe he could transition inside at the NFL level as a nickel defender. That potential shift could benefit the Lions’ secondary — especially former first-round pick Terrion Arnold.

Terrion Arnold Gets Another Opportunity

Arnold is entering his third season after Detroit traded up to select him in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Widely considered one of the top cornerbacks in that class, Arnold has experienced an uneven start to his NFL career.

The young defensive back has flashed his talent but has struggled with consistency and injuries. In 2025, Arnold appeared in just eight games due to health issues.

Earlier this offseason, Arnold’s future with Detroit became a topic of conversation after his name surfaced in connection with a reported kidnapping and armed robbery incident in Florida. However, Arnold and his representatives have strongly denied any wrongdoing, and the Lions organization has continued to support him.

Because of that uncertainty, some analysts believed Detroit might prioritize drafting a cornerback early who could immediately compete for a starting boundary role.

Instead, the Lions focused heavily on strengthening the trenches in the early rounds before selecting Abney in the fifth. As a result, Arnold appears to have a clear path to reclaiming the starting cornerback job opposite D. J. Reed.

Arnold Still Has Areas to Improve

During the 2025 season, Arnold recorded the first interception of his NFL career. According to Pro Football Focus, he finished the season with a 52.6 overall defensive grade, including a 47.1 run defense grade and a 53.8 coverage grade.

While his coverage grade improved compared to his rookie season, his run defense grade dropped by seven points.

Over his first two NFL seasons, Arnold has allowed 83 receptions for 1,123 yards on 139 targets. He has surrendered six touchdowns and an opposing passer rating of 96.9.

Penalties have also been a major challenge in his development. As a rookie, Arnold was flagged 11 times, including eight pass interference penalties. In 2025, he committed six penalties — four for defensive holding and two for pass interference.

Competition Still Exists in Detroit’s Secondary

Detroit’s cornerback room features several players competing for roles alongside Reed and Arnold. The group includes Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Roger McCreary, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, and rookie Abney.

While competition will remain strong, Arnold’s talent and draft pedigree still give him a clear opportunity to secure the starting role.

To fully establish himself as part of Detroit’s long-term defensive core, Arnold will need to improve his consistency and reduce costly penalties. However, the Lions’ approach in the draft suggests the team remains confident in his potential and is willing to give him another chance to prove he belongs as a key piece of the secondary.