The Detroit Lions continue to face depth concerns at cornerback and edge rusher heading into the 2025 season. Reflecting these needs, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings predicted in his latest 2026 NFL Draft projections that the Lions will address both positions within the first two rounds.
In Cummings’ mock draft, the Lions are projected to select Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II in the first round, followed by Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs in the second round.
“Less than two years into a career riddled with medical questions and inconsistent play, the Lions have to at least hedge for Terrion Arnold’s eventual departure,” Cummings wrote. “Even if Arnold stays long-term, a third high-quality cornerback can take the pressure off. With Arnold and Keith Abney II on the boundary, and DJ Reed manning the slot, the Lions could have one of the better cornerback rooms in the league. Abney is a fleet-footed, smooth operator at 6’0″, 195 pounds, with impressive processing and playmaking ability.”
This season, Abney has shown promise in eight games, posting 29 combined tackles and seven pass defenses. He has also recorded one tackle for loss, one interception, and one interception return for Arizona State. Notably, Abney was the fourth cornerback selected in Cummings’ latest mock draft released last Saturday.
### Lions Predicted to Draft CB Keith Abney II
It’s no surprise that the PFN analyst envisions the Lions drafting a cornerback in the first round, especially given the recent injury woes at the position. Over the past two games, Detroit’s secondary has been heavily impacted by injuries to key cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw—the team’s top two picks in the 2024 draft.
Rakestraw has been sidelined since August 7 after undergoing shoulder surgery, which ended his 2025 season. Arnold suffered a shoulder injury during Week 5 and has missed the past two games. Recovery timelines for Arnold remain uncertain; there is some optimism he could return after the team’s bye week, but his availability remains in question.
Despite high draft status, Arnold has struggled to meet expectations. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF) player grades, Arnold’s coverage issues have persisted since his rookie year. His PFF coverage grade was 50.2 as a rookie and has fallen to 44.6 this season. Among 119 cornerbacks who have played at least 25% of their team’s defensive snaps, Arnold ranks 111th in coverage grade.
### Lions Also Projected to Draft Another Edge Rusher
The edge rusher position has long been identified as an area needing improvement for Detroit. It’s possible the Lions could address this need via trade before the 2025 NFL trade deadline on November 3 at 4 p.m. ET. However, if no suitable trade materializes, the team is likely to draft an edge rusher, as Cummings projected with his second-round pick of Tennessee’s Joshua Josephs.
Josephs has produced strong numbers this season, including four sacks, six tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two pass defenses, and 29 combined tackles in eight games.
Given the Lions’ current depth chart, Cummings’ projection makes sense. Marcus Davenport is again sidelined with injuries, forcing Al-Quadin Muhammad and Tyleik Williams to take on significant roles. Adding a promising edge rusher in the draft would bolster a position group that has been thin and inconsistent.
—
With key contributors sidelined and performance inconsistent, the Lions appear poised to invest in bolstering their defensive backfield and pass rush through the upcoming draft. Addressing these pressing needs early could set the stage for a stronger defensive unit in the coming years.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/detroit-lions/2026-nfl-draft-news-rumors-cornerbacks/