By Sunday 
Rough Rookie Year? Sure. But Don’t Count Him Out
Every NFL rookie walks into the league with dreams of hitting the ground running. For Ennis Rakestraw Jr., those dreams were quickly rerouted by a string of injuries that kept him on the sidelines for most of 2024. But here’s the thing—Lions fans need to be patient with this one.
This kid can play. He just hasn’t had the chance to prove it yet.
The Hype Was Real in 2024
The Detroit Lions went all-in on improving their secondary last draft. They grabbed Alabama star Terrion Arnold with their first-round pick, then doubled down by taking Rakestraw out of Mizzou. Paired with Carlton Davis III, the cornerback room suddenly looked deep, talented, and playoff-ready.
But while Arnold found his way onto the field, Rakestraw’s season got hijacked before it even started.
After recovering from sports hernia surgery in the spring and battling an ankle injury in camp, the rookie was already behind. Still, he managed to suit up in Week 1, logging a few special teams snaps—and was this close to a bigger role in Week 2.
“I got hurt in warm-ups,” Rakestraw later shared about the Bucs game. “So, it was kind of setback and step back.” That game was supposed to be his breakout, as the team had reportedly planned for him to start at nickel. Instead, a hamstring tweak ended that momentum, and Amik Robertson stepped in—and stepped up.
By late November, Rakestraw was on IR. Just like that, Year 1 was over.
Why Lions Fans Should Still Believe
Let’s not forget: before all this bad injury luck, Rakestraw was a certified playmaker at Missouri. Over four college seasons, he racked up 107 tackles, 24 pass breakups, and a reputation for being a physical, fearless presence in man coverage. The dude can tackle, scrap, and hold his own in the slot.
And head coach Dan Campbell is far from giving up on him.
“We’re not down on him. We’re not disappointed,” Campbell said at the NFL Annual Meeting. “We expect him to go in there and compete, man… the best man is going to play.”
Translation? Rakestraw’s very much in the mix.
2025 Could Be His Breakout Year—If He Stays Healthy
There’s a lot of competition in Detroit’s DB room heading into 2025. D.J. Reed is in the building. Terrion Arnold is a year more seasoned. And Robertson and Avonte Maddox won’t be giving up their spots without a fight.
But if Rakestraw stays healthy? He’s got the tools to win the slot job outright.
He’s tough. He’s aggressive. And he’s not afraid to hit. That’s everything you want in a nickel corner—and with Detroit’s defense evolving, he might just be the missing piece that helps them go even deeper next postseason.
Final Word: Trust the Process
Lions fans are understandably hungry for results, especially coming off a season where the Super Bowl felt this close. But when it comes to Ennis Rakestraw Jr., a little patience could go a long way. Injuries slowed him down—but don’t let that fool you. The talent is real, and the opportunity is still there.
Keep your eye on No. 1 this season. His story’s just getting started.