The Detroit Lions continue to have depth concerns at cornerback and edge rusher this season. So fitting, in his latest predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings predicted the Lions to address both positions in the first two rounds.
Cummings projected the Lions to first select Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II. Then in the second round of his new mock draft, the Lions picked Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs.
“Less than two years into a career that’s been riddled with medical questions and inconsistent play, the Lions have to at least hedge for Terrion Arnold’s eventual departure. Even if Arnold stays long-term, a third high-quality CB can take the pressure off,” wrote Cummings.
“With Arnold and Keith Abney II on the boundary, and DJ Reed manning the slot, the Lions could have one of the better CB rooms in the league. Abney is a fleet-footed, smooth operator at 6’0″, 195 pounds, with impressive processing and playmaking ability.”
In eight games this season, Abney has posted 29 combined tackles and seven pass defenses. He also has one tackle for loss, one interception and one interception for Arizona State.
Abney was the fourth cornerback off the board in Cummings’ new mock draft released Saturday.
Lions Predicted to Draft CB Keith Abney II
It’s not shocking that the PFN draft analyst would peg a cornerback to the Lions in the first round.
The past two games, Detroit has been dealing with major cornerback injury issues. Perhaps most notably, both cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw, who were the team’s top two picks in 2024, are sidelined.
Rakestraw has been out since August 7. He underwent shoulder surgery and is done for the 2025 season.
Arnold also sustained a shoulder injury during Week 5. The Lions have received differing recovery timetables for Arnold from doctors. The second-year cornerback could be back after the team’s bye week, but he hasn’t played the past two games.
Even so, Arnold has yet to live up to his first-round expectations. According to Pro Football Focus player grades, the same problems are hindering Arnold that did when he was a rookie.
Arnold has significantly struggled in coverage. His PFF coverage grade as a rookie was 50.2 (out of 100). His grade has dropped to 44.6 this season.
Among the 119 cornerbacks who have played at least 25% of his team’s defensive snaps, Arnold is ranked 111th in PFF’s coverage grade.
Lions also Projected to Grab Another Edge Rusher
Edge rusher has been an area pundits have been encouraging the Lions to upgrade for a long time. It’s possible that still happens for Detroit before the 2025 NFL trade deadline.
The deadline for the Lions to acquire an edge rusher is November 3 at 4 pm ET.
If the Lions do trade for an edge rusher, perhaps it will no longer be necessary for the team to draft one. But as of October 26, Cummings sees the Lions addressing the need in the second round.
Josephs has four sacks and six tackles for loss this season. He also has three forced fumbles, two pass defenses and 29 combined tackles in eight games.
Based on the Lions depth chart, it’s not surprising Cummings has an edge rusher pegged to the team in the second round. With Marcus Davenport injured again, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyleik Williams are playing significant roles.
But the Lions are having success in their front seven this season. Entering October 26, Detroit is ranked third in sacks and 10th in pressure rate during 2025.
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