INDIANAPOLIS — The stopwatch didn’t lie, and neither did the game film. While the NFL world obsessed over 40-times inside Lucas Oil Stadium this week, a quiet storm was brewing around two prospects from Tempe who are suddenly rocketing up draft boards. Arizona State football isn’t just “back” under Kenny Dillingham; it’s churning out pro-ready talent that fits specific NFL needs right now.
Keith Abney II: The Eagle Has Landed?
Philadelphia GM Howie Roseman has a type, and Keith Abney II fits the profile to a tee. After a 2025 season where the Eagles’ secondary looked like a turnstile surrendering crucial plays that derailed their Super Bowl hopes the defense needs a jolt. Vic Fangio’s scheme demands corners who can process zone concepts instantly and trigger downhill. That’s Abney.
The junior cornerback posted an elite 81.7 PFF zone coverage grade last season, a number that screams “Plug and Play.” But it’s his background that had scouts buzzing in Indy. The 6-foot, 190-pounder isn’t just football fast; he’s a former national champion inline speed skater. That unique hip fluidity and balance were on full display during drills.
Pairing him with Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean makes too much sense. He brings the chaos factor Philadelphia lacked in 2025, proving he can create turnovers when the pressure mounts.
Max Iheanachor: Protecting Indy’s Investment
The Indianapolis Colts are officially in “Save the Season” mode before it even begins. After a late-2025 collapse that left fans stunned, GM Chris Ballard is under immense pressure to fix the trenches. With quarterback Daniel Jones returning and All-Pro Jonathan Taylor needing running lanes, the offensive line cannot afford another regression.
Enter Max Iheanachor. The 6-foot-6, 330-pound tackle is raw, but his ceiling is stratospheric. Despite some “holding” concerns during the Senior Bowl, his 78.3 PFF pass-blocking grade proves he can keep a clean pocket. With veteran tackle Braden Smith’s future murky and his play declining, Iheanachor represents the perfect developmental project who could be forced into action sooner rather than later.
“Definitely a lot of things translate. [Speed skating] built my endurance, built my core, built my stability… I’m an aggressive player.”
— Keith Abney II, via NFL Combine Media Availability
The War Room: What’s Next?
Expect Abney’s stock to settle firmly in the Day 2 range. If he’s there in the second round, Philadelphia likely won’t hesitate. For Iheanachor, his Pro Day in Tempe will be vital. If he cleans up his hand placement and shows fluidity in position drills, he could sneak into the late first round, but a Day 2 selection by a line-needy team like the Colts is the safe bet. Dillingham’s program has officially put the league on notice: The pipeline to the NFL flows through Tempe again.