When Ennis Rakestraw was drafted in the second round back in 2024, the Lions had some serious plans for him. He wasn’t expected to be a Day 1 starter like his draft classmate Terrion Arnold, but he was going to ease into that role eventually and create a strong 1-2 punch with the first-rounder.
Brad Holmes had the vision and Dan Campbell was going to execute it.
Unfortunately, that vision has pretty much fallen apart thanks to Arnold’s legal issues leading to his release and Rakestraw’s inability to stay healthy.
Now, entering the final preseason game on Saturday against the Colts with injuries already plaguing him during camp, Rakestraw needs to prove himself, or else he may be out of a roster spot. He also needs to stay healthy, which is something that he hasn’t been able to do since his sophomore year at Missouri.
Campbell and Co. can’t just sit around and hope that he eventually lives up to his potential. He has to prove it. Rakestraw is facing a huge preseason finale, and the opportunity is right there for him.
Time to shape up or ship out of Detroit.
Ennis Rakestraw’s injury history is extensive — and concerning
As a rookie, Rakestraw played in eight games and had six total tackles. He didn’t really play enough to show “promise,” but the potential was there, evidenced by his second-round grade in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was also a fringe first-rounder but — wouldn’t you know it — injuries were a concern for a lot of NFL teams, as he missed four games during his senior year, which limited his participation at the Senior Bowl and NFL Combine. That’s not even mentioning the torn ACL he suffered in 2021.
Rakestraw was limited as a rookie because of that lingering injury that plagued him during his senior year at Missouri. Then he had shoulder surgery before the 2025 season, causing him to miss the entire year with the Lions.
This injury history, coupled with the fact that he can’t seem to stay on the field for long enough to make an impact, makes him a true “shape up or ship out” player for Detroit.
The history is concerning, but he has the talent to be a lockdown NFL corner.
Rakestraw probably makes the 53-man roster, but he’s an injury away from having to battle for the remainder of his career just to make a team. It’s time for him to step up.
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