FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Arizona State cornerback Keith Abney II.
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2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Keith Abney II
Keith Abney II (CB – Arizona State)
6’0″ – 190 lbs.
Background
Three-star recruit who played sparingly in 2023, then stepped into a starting role in 2024, finishing the season with 52 tackles, nine breakups, and three interceptions. Showed impressive improvement this past year, ending up with 44 tackles, twelve breakups, two picks, and two forced fumbles.
Positives
Productive two-year starter with a favorable trajectory, having been much more efficient in coverage this past year, cutting down completion percentage significantly without allowing a touchdown. Plays a lot of press-man, typically closer to the boundary, and the team trusted him to work on an island at times; there’s also a bit of off-coverage there, typically working in zone on those snaps. Physical, competitive cornerback who knows how to use his length to disrupt opposing receivers and constrain their room to maneuver. Uses his length well to pin opponents to the boundary when working against outside releases. Shows good speed to carry receivers down the sidelines. Does a nice job of using his hands to feel routes developing and stay connected. Shows good recovery speed to get back in-phase, and looks fast when driving on slants, etc. from off-coverage. Consistently gets his head around early to locate, and shows impressive ball skills when in-phase, using his length effectively. On a bit firmer ground in man coverage, but flashes the ability to process route combinations and break off of his man in time to contest throws or deliver hits. Has been a highly reliable tackler over the past two seasons, and shows physicality as a hitter as well. Gets outside leverage to funnel runners back toward help on outside rushing attempts and in the screen game.
Negatives
Didn’t see him working the field side much during the games reviewed. Can open his hips a bit too early, forcing him into recovery mode soon after the snap starts. Reactions/twitchiness are solid but not elite; relies a bit on his recovery, and there are some chances there for confident quarterbacks to complete anticipation/timing-based throws. Can be grabby, and the downside of his physical style of play is that penalties have been an issue, having been flagged thirteen times over the past two years. Can have a bit of trouble holding the point of attack against stalkers.
Summary
A physical, competitive press-man cornerback who knows how to use his length to disrupt receivers and does a very good job of getting his head around to locate and using his length to make plays on the ball when targeted. He checks all the boxes as an athlete and tackler, and there aren’t many major weaknesses to his game beyond perhaps limiting penalties, so he looks like he should be able to work his way into a starting lineup relatively early in his career. His strong 2025 campaign should have him in the first-round conversation, even in a loaded cornerback class.
Projection: Round 1-2
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