Keith Abney II is the kind of corner the Chiefs always find late in the draft

As expected, a heavy dose of mock drafts from the industry leaders now have the Chiefs locked into Mansoor Delane at pick nine. This is just a nice reminder that most team-based coverage is better on local mediums (like Arrowhead Addict) who know their teams best rather than national media that will just feed into recent narratives or storylines. While Mansoor Delane is a quality prospect, the Chiefs should wait on corner.

The Chiefs have found their version of Moneyball in the corner market. They simply don't pay corners, and they don't have to because of what they can draft and develop over the years: Charvarius Ward, L'Jarius Sneed, and Jaylen Watson. All are proof of concept that the Chiefs can get high-level corner play without investing in it heavily. Additionally, this corner class has quality depth despite being a little weak at the top of the class.

The Chiefs have other needs at positions that are more scarce in the draft, particularly at wide receiver. Spending pick No. 9 on a corner when there are some high-level fits and depth for them on Day 2 and Day 3 might be a mistake, especially when this class is lacking a Derek Stingley Jr. or Sauce Gardner-level prospect.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State

1. Keith Abney II's background
2. Keith Abney's strengths
3. Keith Abney's weaknesses
4. Looking at Keith Abney's fit with the Chiefs

Keith Abney II's background

Age: 21 (on draft day)

Height: 5-10

Weight: 187 LBS.

Hands: 9 3/4 inches

Arms: 30 inches

Tape Exposure: Texas Tech (2025), Colorado (2025), Baylor (2025)

Abney attended high school in Waxahachie, Texas, where he competed as a sprinter in track in addition to football. Before high school sports, he was a three-time national champion inline speed skater. Rated as a three-star prospect via 247 Sports, he originally committed to Utah State before flipping to Arizona State late in the process. Abney played sparingly as a true freshman before becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore. In total, Abney recorded 98 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 6 interceptions and 21 passes defensed in 34 games for the Sun Devils.

Keith Abney's strengths

Man Coverage

Physical and competitive in man coverage and press-man coverage. Uses his compact build well to disrupt route stems and timing.

Versatility

While he played almost exclusively out wide in college, he has the movement skills and has shown some flashes to play inside at the next level. His willingness as a run defender and as a tackler makes him an interesting option for a defense.

Vision and Technique

Fundamentally sound corner who uses space well. Reads and reacts to the QB's eyes, has a natural feel for zone and is a fluid enough athlete for sticky man coverage.

Keith Abney's weaknesses

Frame

Smaller stature might limit his ability to play on the outside at the next level. His 8th-percentile arms are just 1/4 inch longer than Trent McDuffie's were. He also ranks in the 20th percentile for height and the 27th percentile for weight.

Penalites

Flagged 13 times over his two years as a starter, mostly for being too physical past the line of scrimmage or becoming too grabby. Can panic when the ball is in the air and lose track of it.

Block Shedding in Run Support

While he is a willing run supporter and tackler, his ability to stack and shed blocks in the screen or run game limits his impact. Something to watch if a team is looking to kick him into the slot at the next level.

Looking at Keith Abney's fit with the Chiefs

Much of his value to the Chiefs will likely be tied to where they view him positionally at the next level. While he is smaller-framed, he's shown he can play on the outside. If they view him as a slot-predominant player, there might be some better fits in the draft in a similar range. However, if they are optimistic about his ability on the outside with the projection to kick inside, that could be a real weapon for the secondary, not only for the sake of versatility but also as additional depth with him and Kader Kohou, who can both play inside and outside.

Abney is a compact, competitive boundary/nickel corner who plays a physical brand of press-man and shows sound footwork, smooth hips and strong route recognition to stay connected and drive on throws. He consistently attacks the catch point with good timing and ball production, finishes tackles and communicates well in zone concepts to pass off routes and maintain proper depth. Limitations include average length/top-end speed and closing burst, along with lapses in late positioning and ball tracking that lead to penalties.

Round Grade: Red Chip (3rd round grade)

Shades of: Kendall Fuller