The Detroit Lions drafted a pair of cornerbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and while first-round pick Terrion Arnold has garnered much of the attention, second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is a promising young player, also.
One NFL analyst, CBS Sports' Cody Benjamin, is very high on the Missouri product ahead of his first season, as he labeled Rakestraw Jr. an "under-the-radar player who could be a star."
"Terrion Arnold was the splash of the Lions' 2024 draft, surprisingly sliding to Motown at the back of Round 1," Benjamin wrote. "But Rakestraw's tenacious physicality could make him an equally seamless fit for a Dan Campbell contender, especially depending on Carlton Davis' availability at corner."
Rakestraw wasn't able to show much during the spring, as the Lions limited his work after offseason surgery earlier this year. However, the rookie has said it was done out of precaution and he's fine. The expectation is he'll be a full-go at training camp.
"I’ve been fine this whole time," Rakestraw said, per Will Burchfield of 97.1 The Ticket. "They were just doing that because of what happened during my season, they didn't want to rush nothin'. So I just stayed with the plan, stayed getting stronger, getting healthy. When it’s time to show everybody, it’s time to show everybody."
With the boundary spots likely locked up by Arnold and Carlton Davis, Rakestraw's best chance at significant playing time might be in the slot, where he's been seeing reps when he has been on the practice field.
But that will depend upon how much the Lions utilize Brian Branch at safety, which appears to be something the team is at least considering. Rakestraw will also have to beat out veteran Amik Robertson, who was the primary option in the slot with the rookie limited and Branch sidelined after offseason surgery.
