Rookie Profile: Ennis Rakestraw Jr, Cornerback, Detriot Lions
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Ennis Rakestraw Jr, a cornerback out of Missouri. He is from Dallas, Texas, and was a 3-star recruit from Duncanville High School.
Rakestraw Jr started his freshman season in 2020 for Missouri. He appeared in 9 games, recording 18 solo tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 6 passes defended.
In 2021 as a sophomore, he struggled and appeared in only 4 games. His production was minimal as he recorded only 10 solo tackles, 3 assists, and 2 passes defended.
His production saw an uptick in 13 games in 2022 as a junior. He racked up 27 solo tackles, 8 assists, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 12 passes defended, 1 fumble recovered, and 2 forced fumbles.
He totaled similar production as a senior in 2023, with a stat line of 24 solo tackles, 1 assist, 3.5 tackles for loss, 4 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 2 Pick 29
- I had Rakestraw Jr as a first-round grade. So, for the Lions to get Terrion Arnold in the first and then have Rakestraw Jr fall to them in the second is a gift from the football Gods.
- His fall to the second round is merely a reflection of how offense-happy teams got at the 2024 NFL Draft. The value of this pick is beyond insane and the fallout of the first round should leave him with adequate motivation to reach his full potential.
Landing Spot- Detroit Lions
- This secondary has been stacked over the past two draft classes with elite, young talent. The trio of Rakestraw Jr, Arnold, and Brian Branch might be the best in the NFL. He may not find his way into a massive role from his rookie season, but he is going to be a key piece of one of the best defenses in the league.
- It may take some time for him to reach his full potential, but this defense is going to give him the chance to be part of a truly elite squad.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Rotational Edge Rusher
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
The selection of Rakestraw reflects a Dan Campbell-style approach. As a defensive back, he displays an unwavering determination and doesn’t solely rely on his athleticism. His aggressive play and toughness also make him effective as a tackler.
Despite being on the smaller side at 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds with 4.51 speed, Rakestraw’s film performance has kept him on the second-round radar. With recent additions like Terrion Arnold and Brian Branch, the Lions now boast a young and formative secondary.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
