Checking out a compilation of highlights and interviews of Lions draft pick Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Well, I think it is safe to say that the Detroit Lions secondary may look really different by the time September rolls around. And after how the 2023 season ended for the Lions, it’s hard to fault general manager Brad Holmes for wanting to make some wholesale changes.
Earlier this offseason, Holmes brought in cornerback Carlton Davis III via a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and signed free agent defensive back Amik Robertson. Now the Lions have added through the draft, selecting University of Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold 24th overall after trading with the Dallas Cowboys and then cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. at pick 61. Add in the fact that the Lions brought back cornerbacks Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey, and Emmanuel Moseley and all of the sudden the Lions’ cornerback depth is pretty impressive. Depth also develops competition, and that is what this regime is all about.
With Rakestraw, the Lions are getting a hyper-competitive cornerback who is at his best when he is in man coverage. He is strong, physical, and aggressive with receivers around the line of scrimmage. This is the kind of cornerback who is going to be in the hip pocket of a receiver all day while also letting him know about it. The way Rakestraw plays likely went a long way in endearing himself to the Lions. Like first-round pick Terrion Arnold, Rakestraw will have solid veterans to learn from in Davis III and Robertson.
Lastly, I have to imagine Lions’ defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is loving this draft. He went from having limited resources to work with earlier in the rebuild, to now having a pretty diverse arsenal of chess pieces at his disposal in 2024.
Remember, it’s only the second day of the draft: Brad Holmes isn’t even done yet.
You can check out a compilation of Rakestraw’s highlights, clips, and interviews below.
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