The Detroit Lions are continuing to earn BIG positive grades for their 2024 NFL Draft picks.
The Detroit Lions had a relatively quiet Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, making just a single selection between Rounds 2 and 3. That said, when they were on the clock, they certainly made an impression by selecting Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. For one, early in the offseason draft process, some considered Rakestraw a first-round talent—giving Detroit another potential steal after taking Terrion Arnold way lower than he was expected to go.
Additionally, there were certainly some eyebrows raised due to the fact that the Lions went back-to-back at cornerback. Certainly, cornerback was a need this offseason, with Detroit posting the third-worst PFF coverage grade in football, but with the additions of Amik Robertson, Carlton Davis, and Terrion Arnold—plus the re-signing of Emmanuel Moseley—did the Lions go overkill at the position.
A look around the NFL Draft Day 2 grades would suggest that most national analysts are in serious agreement with Detroit’s strategy. In a sampling of 11 graders, not a single one marked the Lions lower than a B.
Here’s a look at those Day 2 grades:
Sporting News (Vinnie Iyer): A+
“The Lions get another dynamic cover man to rebuild their cornerback again after jumping on Terrion Arnold in the first round. They targeted Rakestraw as an ideal fit for Aaron Glenn’s coverage scheme.”
SB Nation (J.P. Acosta): A
“You can never have too many defensive backs, and the Lions have created a DB room full of tough, aggressive corners. Rakestraw plays a lot bigger than his size, and thrives in man coverage. This is a terrific pick by the Lions, who have completely revamped the corner room in one year.”
Sports Illustrated (Matt Verderame): A
“After taking Terrion Arnold in the first round, the Lions doubled down on the secondary with Rakestraw, a prospect some thought would go in the first round. Detroit is wisely remaking its perimeter coverage.”
The Athletic (Scott Dochterman): A-
“Cornerback was Detroit’s primary weakness entering the draft. The Lions have addressed that issue with a pair of quality cornerbacks, Terrion Arnold and now Rakestraw, in the first two rounds. The aggressive Rakestraw (5-11, 183) missed four games last year with a groin injury, but he had 24 career passes defended over 36 games at Missouri.”
PFF (staff): “Very Good”
“The Lions continue to rebuild a defense that ranked 30th in coverage grade in 2023. Rakestraw, the 46th-ranked player on the PFF big board, is a physical cornerback who excels in zone coverage. He posted an 85.2 PFF zone coverage grade in 2023. The Lions have completely revamped their cornerback room in just one offseason”
USA TODAY (Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz): B+
“Detroit follows up its first-round selection of Terrion Arnold with another aggressive cornerback. Few would have blinked had the Lions gone this route on Day 1, and Rakestraw’s tackling should earn him the admiration of Dan Campbell. No more excuses for this secondary to underachieve.”
33rd Team (Ian Valentino): B+
“Often ranked much higher than where he was taken, Ennis Rakestraw is a tremendous athlete. He’s perfectly built to match up against quick and fast receivers. Plus, Detroit’s cornerback room was still lacking.”
NFL.com (Chad Reuter): B
“The Lions doubled down on cornerbacks, drafting Rakestraw after trading up for Terrion Arnold in Round 1. The former Missouri Tiger was a good value as a competitive corner who can take on receivers down the sideline and over the middle. However, they passed on edge rusher Adisa Isaac, receiver Roman Wilson and others that could have helped in different areas of the roster.”
ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.): “Picks I liked”
The Lions got a shout-out in Kiper’s winners/losers article, praising Holmes for doubling up on a position of need:
“Ennis Rakestraw Jr. was a three-year starter in college who flashed No. 1 corner tools but was a little inconsistent at times. Detroit ranked 31st in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.8) last season, so credit GM Brad Holmes for going hard at a need for his roster.”
CBS (Chris Trapasso): B
“Chippy, in-your-face inside-out cornerback with good, not great athletic gifts. Plant-and-drive skills can be borderline special. Hit or miss as a tackler but the hits are huge thumping hits. Reasonable ball skills and will play the football aggressively. Size and length a concern.”
Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald): B
The Lions’ run on cornerbacks continues with Rakestraw coming into the fold. Adding him with Terrion Arnold and Carlton Davis gives the Lions and lot of playmaking at cornerback. Rakestraw isn’t the biggest or fastest guy, but he can play.
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