That’s two for the Tigers.
Missouri football cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is officially heading to the league after the Detroit Lions used the 61st pick to bring him to the Motor City in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday in Detroit.
Lions legend Barry Sanders was on stage as the pick was announced.
Rakestraw became the second Mizzou player to hear his name called in the draft this year, following defensive Darius Robinson, who became the first Missouri player to receive a first-round draft selection since 2018.
Here's what Rakestraw brings to the Lions, based on his career with Missouri.
What Missouri football CB Ennis Rakestraw brings to Detroit Lions in 2024 NFL Draft
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.’s pre-draft message to reporters in Columbia, Missouri, is a good starting point for Lions fans, too.
Watch the tape.
When he steps into the box, he’s a threat. When he lines up in press, receivers more often than not are in for a difficult few seconds due to his strength and physicality. He has a tremendous ability to keep the ball out of a target’s hands, with excellent timing with his hands as the ball is in the air.
In the right scheme, he has the potential to develop into a NFL starter.
Rakestraw’s highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Missouri
Rakestraw’s weakness also is likely the reason his once-first-round projection didn’t pan out: He’s battled multiple injuries.
The cornerback suffered a torn ACL in 2021. Last season, he sat out most of the season due to sports hernia injuries. That disruption hadn’t healed in time for his NFL Scouting Combine appearance, either, as his first-round projections all but disappeared.
But when he’s playing, he’s gold.
He’s among the better press corners in the SEC. Rakestraw is fast as all get up, and doesn’t let much past him — to the point that LSU’s gun-slinging offense barely targeted receivers in his area code when the two teams faced off last season in Columbia.
His stat line shows just one collegiate interception. Worried? Temper that. He hardly got targeted.
Keep him healthy, and he’ll have a good chance to thrive in the league.
Rakestraw’s stats with Missouri football
Rakestraw had 107 total tackles, 24 passes defended, one interception and two forced fumbles during his Missouri career over the course of 36 total games.
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