The Detroit Lions are still optimistic about Ennis Rakestraw Jr.’s future, but his injury-plagued rookie season left them without enough film to fully evaluate him.
A second-round pick in 2024, Rakestraw played in just eight games, logging four solo tackles and limited defensive snaps due to hamstring issues. While the coaching staff believes he can bounce back in 2025, general manager Brad Holmes admitted at the league meetings that they couldn’t rely on him just yet.
“I knew that we had to be in that corner market,” Holmes said, explaining why Detroit signed veteran D.J. Reed to a three-year, $48 million deal after losing Carlton Davis. “We’re still excited about Rakestraw, but unfortunately, he had injuries, and he wasn’t healthy enough to provide us a little bit more clarity.”
Rakestraw, however, is embracing the challenge. The former Missouri standout says he’s using the doubts as motivation to fuel his offseason work. The Lions are counting on him to be in top shape when training camp begins, ready to compete for playing time in Detroit’s evolving secondary.
