Ennis Rakestraw’s Make-or-Break Year: Can He Emerge as a True Contributor?

Information sourced from: Dan Campbell OTA Day 9 Presser, Pro Football Reference, College Football Reference, RAS

There is not much of a more divisive player from Brad Holmes’ tenure than Ennis Rakestraw. Why is he so divisive? To put it simply, his inability to see the field. Since being selected in the 2nd round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Rakestraw has managed to find the field in only 8 games. He has notched only 9 solo tackles. For a 2nd round pick, that’s nearly no return on investment. However, a glimmer of hope came out of Dan Campbell’s presser that got me thinking today…

Coach Campbell stated in regards to Rakestraw “He’s had a good spring… He’s been out there every day. This year he had a lot of time to really not only rehab but man work back there with [various strength and training staff]. He’s adding a little bit of bulk, he is a little more dense than he was. That’s always going to help the body. But there’s nothing to say, there’s nothing that will tell me that he won’t be prepared, and physically prepared to go into training camp.”

Normally, a single quote from Coach Campbell is nice, but we’ve heard him talk up guys before. He is a coach who builds people up, not tears them down. Generally you find his dissatisfaction in what he doesn’t say, not what he says. However, I think it’s important to note that while Terrion Arnold has finished up his rehab, “word on the street” is that Rakestraw has been repping with the first team.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Rakestraw sees the writing on the wall and has been putting in that extra work. Perhaps he has been showing that grit to get himself back into shape so he can stay on the field, and thus he is earning more reps. So, lets turn back the clock to Rakestraw’s college career and look at what the Lions saw in him when they drafted him (image below per College Football Reference)

You see, he is not an interception machine, but 79 solo tackles and 28 assists over 36 games isn’t terrible at all. Add in a number of TFLs (and/or getting into the back field). If I had to guess, I would bet the Lions picked him up for his ability to come up from coverage and make those tackles. To change on the fly and jump up to play the run. If he can find that, and can add some weight to make himself more available, there may be something here.

His athleticism shows good short line speed with a 1.52 10 yard split. Again, the ability to quickly come up from coverage and get to the tackle, this tracks. The rest of his athleticism is not terrible either, but the 10 yard split is where he separates himself. I think we can see what the Lions saw in him and how he fits their defense.

I’m sure you have all read and seen how I love a good underdog, and Rakestraw is no exception. However, why would I want him to fail? As a Lions fan I am always going to root for the unlikely injured player to stay healthy (so many times with Marcus Davenport). This situation is a little more likely now, though, given his additional training. Perhaps this can be the one thing that will turn this draft pick from borderline bust to solid contributor. I think we can all agree that would be welcome development in his career, and an unlikely boon for the Lions DB room.