Terrion Arnold is officially gone from the Detroit Lions, a move that rips open the cornerback depth chart and sets the stage for a pair of rookies to absolutely blow up by the end of the 2026 season. General manager Brad Holmes has always been about getting immediate impact from his draft picks, and honestly, he’s crushed it turning later-round guys into stars. Think Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kerby Joseph, Sam LaPorta, Brian Branch, or Tate Ratledge. These guys weren’t necessarily day one starters, but they owned their roles by season’s end. So, who’s next from this 2026 class? It looks like two guys are primed to absolutely smash it: Blake Miller and Keith Abney.
Blake Miller Has That Right Tackle Spot Locked, Or Does He?
Let’s talk about Blake Miller first, because this dude is a no-brainer. As a first-round pick, he’s the heavy favorite to claim the starting right tackle spot right out of the gate in Week 1. That’s a massive deal, giving a rookie the keys to protect the blindside so early. But hold up, nothing’s handed out in the NFL. Larry Borom is still in the mix, and if he outplays Miller during training camp and preseason, he could absolutely swipe that starting role. You gotta earn it, plain and simple. Still, a first-rounder usually comes in with a major leg up, so keep your eyes on Miller dominating early.
Keith Abney Just Got a Golden Ticket
Now, Keith Abney, this is where it gets spicy. He was the fourth Lion drafted, but the opportunity for him to snatch a starting cornerback role is massive, thanks to that Terrion Arnold release. Abney’s got the versatility to play inside or outside, which is huge. Looking at the depth chart, D.J. Reed is a guaranteed starter if healthy, no doubt. But after him? It’s wide open. Rock Ya-Sin was solid in relief last season, but let’s be real, he hasn’t been a full-time starter since 2022. Expecting a 30-year-old veteran to suddenly have a career-best season for an entire year might be pushing it.
Then there’s Ennis Rakestraw. He’s young, a former second-round pick with talent for days, but man, those two significant injuries in his first two seasons are rough. He’s got basically zero defensive experience, and he just hasn’t earned our full trust yet. And McCreary? He looks like the nickel starter, sure. But remember the golden rule: follow the money. His one-year, $1.2 million deal screams “potential steal” but also “not a lock as a starter.” Compare that to Larry Borom’s one-year, $5 million deal as offensive tackle insurance, and you see the difference in how the team views their roles. Abney’s got a real shot to impress and climb over these guys. As for the rest of the draft class, guys like Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West are probably just fighting for a roster spot. Derrick Moore, picked before Abney, might have the best chance to start by season’s end, but even he could fall victim to the depth. It’s Abney’s time to shine, and he’s got all the tools.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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