Lions draft Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw in 2nd round
COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 11: Missouri Tigers defensive back Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (2) in the second quarter of an SEC football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers on Nov 11, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, MO. (Photo by Scott
FOX 2 (WJBK) - The Lions added another cornerback in the second round of their 2024 NFL Draft haul - this time with Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw, 5 feet, 11 inches and 183 pounds is another man coverage corner as Detroit shores up the defensive backfield.
General Manager Brad Holmes said he didn't go into the Draft planning to take two corners in a row.
"He's another one that we didn't think he was going to make it that far," he said. "You know, we didn't even know he was going to make it out of the first night. When he was still there, starting today, I didn't think he was going to last that long. We just kind of stayed patient and, we're just thrilled that he landed there."
Holmes said that the team wanted to get younger at the cornerback position - and that the competition at the position will make everyone better.
"It's a bloodbath in there right now,"Holmes quipped. "And that is what makes everything better, it makes the room better and it makes the team better. Competition brings the best out of everybody."
NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah called Rakestraw one of his favorite players in the Draft.
"Rakestraw is a rangy, fluid cornerback who plays with energy and toughness," he wrote. "He is physical in pass coverage and stays attached underneath and vertically. He is awesome against the run … he attacks blockers, including offensive linemen."
According to ESPN: "He mirrors the receiver's release and is smooth turning and running. He is instinctive, reading the receiver and matching routes in man coverage. And Rakestraw sorts out routes, splits high-low route combinations and tracks the ball well in zone looks."
On Day One General Manager Brad Holmes picked Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.
The Lions traded up with a third round pick from pick 29 to 24 with the Cowboys, in order to take Arnold - considered by many to be the top cornerback in the Draft.
Arnold was nearly as thrilled as the Lions brass to be coming to Detroit. He posted a video Friday morning, saying he was so excited that he slept with his Draft hat on.
More Draft:
- U-M's Jenkins, Sainristil drafted back-to-back in 2nd round
- 'I'm home' Lions 1st rounder Terrion Arnold excited to get to work
- Minnesota takes U-M QB JJ McCarthy at pick 10 of NFL Draft 1st round
"I was so happy last night I slept with my hat on, man," Arnold said. "One pride. Went to sleep last night a Lion, woke up a Lion. One pride, let's get to work."