Pride of Detroit
The Missouri product played just eight games in 2024, but his mindset and versatility make him a player to watch entering training camp.
Training camp is nearly here, and with it comes a fresh start for players looking to carve out roles on a competitive Detroit Lions roster. For cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr., that fresh start couldn’t come soon enough. After a hamstring injury cut short his rookie season, the former Missouri standout is eager to show how he grew during his quasi redshirt year—and ready to prove why the Lions made him their pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Previous previews: RB Sione Vaki, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, WR Jameson Williams, TE Sam LaPorta, EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Brodric Martin, LB Grant Stuard, K Jake Bates
For the second straight offseason, Brad Holmes had overhauled the secondary, but with a different approach this time around.
Brian Branch’s move to safety solidified the backend of Detroit’s defense, but with the release of Cam Sutton, the less-than-smooth departure of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, and the team moving on from reserves like Jerry Jacobs and Will Harris, there were plenty of spots up for grabs at all three cornerback spots.
Free agency brought the trade for Carlton Davis and the signing of Amik Robertson, but that was just the beginning. The Lions moved up in the first round to draft Terrion Arnold. When it was the turn for the Lions to pick again at pick No. 61, Holmes doubled down on the youth movement at cornerback when he drafted Rakestraw, a player some draftniks had plugged to Detroit in the first round of mocks during the pre-draft process.
During training camp and preseason, Rakestraw saw playing time at both outside and nickel corner, and it was the rookie’s physicality and athleticism that earned the attention and praise of head coach Dan Campbell.
“They [Rakestraw and Arnold] don’t mess around, for rookies, and they’re trying to win the rep and they’re trying to get better and they’re both athletic,” Campbell said during training camp. “So, you feel like, okay, there again, first day it’s not too big for them. They were ready for the challenge of it. Now, do they have a lot of work? Yeah, they do, so it was very encouraging.”
Rakestraw showed some impressive coverage skills in his only preseason action against the New York Giants, allowing just one catch for 0 yards and earning the team’s second-best coverage grade (81.7). Despite the strong showing, Rakestraw was behind both Arnold and Davis on the outside, and Robertson won the first crack at the team’s nickel spot. Special teams would be Rakestraw’s prime opportunity to make an impact heading into his rookie season, but the best ability is availability, and injuries could always pave the path to playing snaps on defense.
Note: Stats are regular season only unless otherwise stated
8 games (0 starts)
Stats: 6 tackles...
