No one on the Lions roster stands to gain more from the Terrion Arnold debacle than Detroit’s 2024 second-round draft pick, Ennis Rakestraw. Until now, Rakestraw has been overshadowed by Arnold, the Lions’ first-round pick, and sidelined by injuries. Now, it’s Rakestraw’s turn to shine and remind fans why he was a top NFL Draft prospect in 2024.
Lions Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw On Fulfilling 2024 Elite Draft Status
Declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft as a cornerback for Missouri, Rakestraw was a highly regarded junior class prospect. In a class loaded with premier cornerback talent, including Quinyon Mitchell, Arnold, Cooper DeJean, and Kool-Aid McKinstry, he stood out as an athlete with an elite skill set.
Rakestraw, NFL Draft Projections
NFLdraftbuzz.com described Rakestraw as an “instinctual player with a keen understanding of the game, showcasing an ability to anticipate plays and react swiftly.” At the time, the only blemish on his record was an ACL tear that prematurely ended his sophomore season after four games.
Praising his “superior man coverage skills” and “excellent football IQ,” the profile highlighted Rakestraw’s “willingness to engage physically, especially in run support and tackling, where he is close to elite.”
Rakestraw was seen as a “three-down cornerback capable of bolstering a defensive unit’s effectiveness against both the pass and run.” Despite a lighter frame, his profile concluded that “corners like Rakestraw, who can dominate in man coverage and hold their own in run support, become invaluable” NFL team assets.
NFL Draft analyst, Lance Zierlein, noted his “excellent body control” and “salty run support with willingness to wrap and lift ball-carriers.” However, despite his favorable pre-draft rankings, Rakestraw didn’t have a great showing at the NFL Combine, turning in a disappointing broad jump and a slower-than-expected 4.51 40-yard-dash. A low 55 on his Athleticism score negatively impacted his Total Score, bringing it down to 71.
The 2024 NFL Draft
After selecting Arnold with the 24th pick of the 2024 Draft, the Lions’ next move was to double up at cornerback, drafting Rakestraw with the 61st overall selection in the second round. While some may have questioned the wisdom of selecting two corners back-to-back, the Lions had a gap to fill after cutting Cam Sutton and electing not to re-sign Jerry Jacobs.
From the start, Arnold and Rakestraw drew comparisons. Both were of similar size at just under 6’0,” with Arnold (189 lbs.) outweighing his fellow rookie by only six pounds. However, those few pounds would prove pivotal for Rakestraw, whose slender frame was frequently pointed out as a potential weakness.
Rakestraw, An Ongoing Litany of Injuries
Entering rookie training camp, Rakestraw was limited due to core surgery that stemmed from a 2023 college hernia. An ankle injury during camp further complicated matters. But despite his limitations, Rakestraw did well enough in training camp to earn the confidence of the coaching staff.
In Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Rakestraw was given the starting assignment at nickel back. However, during pre-game warmups, he pulled a hamstring. Amik Robertson was the next man up.
The hamstring injury landed Rakestraw on injured reserve, causing him to miss nine games. With Robertson playing well in the role, Rakestraw never regained the starting assignment and played only 46 snaps that season.
A Lost Season In 2025
In early August of 2025, the Lions announced that, as a result of a training camp shoulder injury, Rakestraw would be undergoing season-ending surgery. It was a disastrous turn of events that shut down his sophomore season before it even began.
“You hate it for the kid, you hate it. It’s not his fault, just one of those tough deals,” coach Dan Campbell told the media. “All you can do is try to get it better and rehab, come back stronger, and move on. That’s all you can do.”
Defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard also spoke up on his behalf, noting the progress he’d shown before the injury, “I’ve been anxiously looking forward to Rakestraw getting back out there, because he’s a guy in the spring that you saw taking that next step as well.”
Rakestraw Working Hard to Prepare For A Breakout Year in 2026
By March of this year, Rakestraw had grown weary of the constant questions concerning his health. Speaking out on social media, he posted, “Fully healthy quit asking been healthy since December.”
More importantly, Rakestraw made significant changes to his conditioning and training regimen in the offseason to better prepare for a healthy 2026 season. During OTAs, his coach was asked about Rakestraw.
Campbell was pleased with his progress, “He’s had a good spring…He had a lot of time to really not only rehab but work back there with (Lions Head Strength and Conditioning) Coach (Josh) Schuler and (former Lions Director of Sports Performance) Mike Clark when they were here, and certainly (Lions Director of Player Health and Performance Brett Fischer) Fisch. So he’s had a little bit of bulk, he’s a little more dense than he was, that’s always going to help the body.”
When speaking to The Brad Galli Show, Rakestraw referred to his injuries as “Just a part of the game.” He said, “I’m sorry it had to be me, but God gives his battles to his strongest soldiers.”
Noting his changed physique and added bulk, Galli asked about his preparation. Rakestraw admitted that he was strictly business in the offseason. Describing hours in the weight room each day devoted to building muscle through shoulder, core, and hamstring workouts, Rakestraw focused on strengthening the previous problem areas.
Fulfilling His Pre-Draft Potential
Rakestraw knows he has yet to deliver on his pre-draft potential. Saying that the unfulfilled promise is what keeps him hungry, he thinks of it every day. Determined to succeed, he vows to “Finally fulfill the life of an NFL player, touch the field, and do what I want to do and make Detroit proud of me.”
