The Detroit Lions selected Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 61 overall.
After a surprising NFC Championship Game appearance in 2023, the Lions recognized that their cornerback group was one area holding the team back.
Detroit traded for veteran cornerback Carlton Davis in March and jumped up to No. 24 in the first round to land former Alabama star Terrion Arnold.
Rakestraw starred at Missouri for four seasons. He finished his college career with 107 total tackles, 24 pass defenses, and one interception.
Pre-draft profile
Body control and smart adjustments are Rakestraw's highlights. He's rarely caught out of position and communicates with teammates to help them stay with receivers. Rakestraw's top-end speed isn't fantastic, but his technique and short-area quickness prevent him from getting left behind. He's aggressive when the ball is in the air, attacking a pass-catcher's hands and arms to stop receptions. That aggressiveness translates to other parts of Rakestraw's game, including his ability to shed blocks and contribute as a run defender. He needs to learn how to avoid getting flagged for his aggressive downfield coverage, but he should start sooner rather than later.
