The Detroit Lions were decimated by injuries in the 2024 season. The defensive side of the ball was severely impacted by the extensive injury list, especially towards the end of the season. Not only did these absences hurt Detroit on the field, but they also prevented the organization from evaluating its young players properly.
One of those players was Ennis Rakestraw, Jr. After the Lions used a second-round pick on the talented cornerback, Rakestraw essentially had a redshirt year. He suffered a hamstring injury before Week 2 that lingered all season, limiting his opportunities as a rookie. He finished the season with six appearances and a total of 46 defensive snaps.
The Lions are still expecting big things from the former Missouri standout. GM Brad Holmes had previously said that Terrion Arnold and Rakestraw were their top two cornerbacks in the draft, showcasing how hight they were on the young defender.
The early returns during OTAs this season were also positive. He was considered a camp standout, with every report coming out teasing a breakout campaign. However, head coach Dan Campbell pumped the brakes there on Thursday. When asked about it by Lions insider Nolan Bianchi, Campbell hesitated to add to the Rakestraw hype.
Dan Campbell Refuses to Clarify Ennis Rakestraw Jr.'s Role for Next Season
Campbell said that Rakestraw is going to "have a chance to compete" and "if he's the best guy, he'll play". While there isn't anything particularly eyebrow-raising there, it is notable that Campbell didn't heap praises on Rakestraw like he did with other Lions earlier in his remarks.
It is also worth noting that Campbell said they are going to keep Rakestraw outside. This is a surprising answer, as many expected Rakestraw to take most of his reps in the slot. Detroit has Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed on the boundary, making it hard for Rakestraw to beat them out in competition. In the slot, Rakestraw would be competing with Amik Robertson and Avonte Maddox, instead.
Rakestraw spent most of his rookie season contributing on special teams. The early offseason returns suggested that he would see an uptick in his defensive snaps in his second year. Campbell's reluctance to say that outright means that the 23-year-old's role in the 2025 Lions remains unclear as of now.