The Detroit Lions tasted playoff success in 2023, making a run to the NFC Championship game. Now, the organization is hoping to take the final step and hoist the Lombardi Trophy in the near future.
Where the Lions stand to improve begins on the defensive side of the ball. Particularly, the secondary could use a true shutdown player that can handle the tough assignments thrown at them throughout the NFC North schedule.
With players such as Justin Jefferson and DJ Moore in the division, the Lions must load up options to continue their reign over the NFC North. Detroit's two starters at the end of the season, Cam Sutton and Kindle Vildor, are good players but struggled in their roles.
As a result, the team should seek out options in free agency and the Draft. One of the top options available in this year's prospect crop is Missouri's Ennis Rakestraw Jr., who was a key part of a solid Tigers defense in 2023.
Rakestraw was good in coverage for Missouri last season, but he also plays very physical in a manner that fits perfectly with Detroit's defensive scheme. Pro Football Focus assigned him an 89.7 run defense grade, which is exceptional for a defensive back.
He was targeted with just three missed tackles, per PFF, and had 35 tackles in nine games for the Tigers. Despite his lack of gaudy numbers, many see Rakestraw as a player who's toughness and physicality will make him a strong player at the NFL level.
Among those impressed is ESPN NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller, who raved about the Missouri product and drew a direct tie to him with the Lions in a recent media call.
“If you’re looking for a prototypical Detroit Lion-type player, that physicality at the line of scrimmage -- he is a great tackler in space, as well, especially for not being the biggest guy," Miller said. "He's probably gonna come in at 6-foot, 190 pounds, maybe 195 if we're lucky."
Rakestraw played through a core muscle injury in 2023, eventually having surgery in December. He proved his toughness, and his production didn't take a hit even with the set-back.
“He’s not a strikingly physical player when you’re just looking at height, weight, strength, but he absolutely plays as one of the most physical corners in this draft or any draft," Miller explained. "He’s right there with some of the best corners I’ve evaluated when playing at the line of scrimmage and using that physicality.”
There are a number of talented corners who are viewed as first-round prospects, with potentially six players at the position slated to go on the first night.
However, Rakestraw's physicality is a unique element and could make him the perfect fit for the Lions and coordinator Aaron Glenn's scheme.
More must-reads: