The

Detroit Lions

The defense brings back almost all players from the start of the 2024 season as they prepare for the 2025 training camp. This leaves little opportunity for newcomers like Ennis Rakestraw to secure more playing time.

As a rookie in 2024, Rakestraw had limited playing time on the field. This second-round pick from Missouri participated in only 46 plays spread over six matches, with his last appearance being before Week 11.

Part of the issue was Rakestraw’s balky health status. He missed time in the summer with sports hernia surgery, then also struggled through an ankle injury and

another hamstring problem

—a problem that has plagued the tall Rakestraw for years—which led to the talented newcomer being placed on injured reserve. However, injuries were not the sole obstacle for Rakestraw during his first year.

During his initial training camp, Rakestraw alternated between playing as an outside cornerback and operating from the slot. Some days saw him taking snaps at both positions, although most of his time was dedicated to indoor roles. This pattern continued throughout the season; out of his total 46 game plays, roughly half came when lining up in the nickel package and the rest occurred on the exterior. Getting used to life in the NFL wasn’t straightforward for someone whose practice sessions lacked a fixed role so infrequently.

To that end, the Lions are changing the approach with Rakestraw for his second season. Detroit DB coach Deshea Townsend says that the plan is to keep Rakestraw as an outside cornerback in 2025.

Within this league, you can only bring along a certain number,” Townsend stated at his latest press conference. “At present, we’ll allow Rakestraw to concentrate on playing externally and let him engage in competition out there. Amik Robertson has performed quite admirably internally. Additionally, we have Avonte Maddox, who brings versatility to different positions. This should also be beneficial for Rakestraw.

After facing challenges early in his NFL career, Robertson took hold of the nickel position during his debut season with the Detroit team. Maddox, who is expected to be both the main alternative at free safety and Robertson’s principal substitute in the slot, brings extensive experience from playing in the flex role. However, considering they are aiming for a Super Bowl title, there might not be many opportunities for Rakestraw to gain practical knowledge since he predominantly lined up outside for more than 80% of his collegiate plays.

At the outside cornerback position, Rakestraw lacks a straightforward route to securing playing time. The newcomer D.J. Reed takes over Carlton Davis’ starting role across from Terrion Arnold, expected to be selected in the first round of the 2024 draft. These positions seem unlikely to face competition from lower down the roster. Veteran Rock Ya-Sin, who has previously started as a nickelback in the league, brings additional depth to this lineup. This group also includes the swift Khalil Dorsey and the tall Stantley Thomas-Oliver, known for his extensive special teams contributions during his tenure with the Panthers and a brief stint with Detroit towards the end of last season.

A fit and assured Rakestraw could pose an intriguing, perhaps even ironic, challenge for the Lions following last year’s struggles: having more talented cornerbacks than they know what to do with. In his sophomore campaign, he must demonstrate his ability to consistently participate in practices and significantly contribute both as an outside cornerback and on special teams.



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The article was initially published on Lions Wire:

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