Category: Lions News

Lions bolster depth in secondary with selection of Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

Lions bolster depth in secondary with selection of Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft

Holding firm with the 61st pick, the Detroit Lions doubled down at the cornerback position and selected Ennis Rakestraw Jr. out of Missouri.

Rakestraw joins fellow rookie Terrion Arnold in Detroit’s secondary, but may not be a day-one starter like Arnold. The Lions traded a third-round pick for Carlton Davis earlier in the offseason, signed Amik Robertson in free agency and re-signed Emmanuel Moseley and Khalil Dorsey.

Davis and Arnold are the likely candidates to start at outside cornerback, but the addition of Rakestraw could open up some opportunities for Aaron Glenn’s defense.

Rakestraw is a true outside cornerback who utilizes his length and physicality to out-leverage opposing receivers. While he most likely has to wait in the wings for a starting role, there is a chance that the Lions rearrange some players to get the best secondary combination possible.

Arnold and Davis both have experience in the nickel cornerback position, and the Lions have made it know that they want to utilize Brian Branch more at safety in 2024. If either of the aforementioned cornerbacks move to the slot, then Rakestraw would be able to see some extra playing time this upcoming season.

Regardless of if he starts at cornerback or is limited to special teams duties, the Lions got a physical football player who doesn’t shy away from contact. Rakestraw will surely make his presence known one way or another in 2024.

 

Grading the Lions selection of Terrion Arnold in the first round

The Detroit Lions landed one of the top defensive players in the draft, Terrion Arnold after a trade up and couldn’t find a more perfect fit

GM Brad Holmes has once again demonstrated his willingness to make bold moves in the draft to secure top talent for the Detroit Lions. Trading up from the 29th to the 24th pick, Holmes orchestrated a move to acquire Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, one of the premier defensive prospects in this year’s draft class.

The draft’s early focus on offensive players unexpectedly pushed down defensive talent, creating an opportunity for the Lions to snag Arnold. While many anticipated Arnold would be off the board before the Lions’ pick, Holmes recognized the exceptional value and didn’t hesitate to make the trade.

Arnold’s arrival addresses a significant need for the Lions, further fortifying a revamped cornerback room that includes additions such as Carlton Davis, Amik Robertson, and Emmanuel Moseley. Despite the cost of trading up, which left the Lions with limited draft capital and without a third-round selection, securing Arnold was deemed essential to bolstering the team’s defense.

Looking ahead, Holmes may explore further draft maneuvers to replenish lost draft capital. As evidenced by his past actions, Holmes is unafraid to make the necessary moves to strengthen the team.

On a personal note, sitting in the crowd in front of the draft stage and when Arnold was announced as the pick it was a massive celebration with many high fives and losing voice screams. Then getting to see him walk across the stage and the crowd screaming “Arnold” the atmosphere was absolutely electric making Arnold feel right at home.

The excitement surrounding Arnold’s selection was palpable, with fans erupting in celebration as his name was announced. His addition to the team is seen as a significant coup, embodying the gritty ethos of the Lions and fitting seamlessly into their rising trajectory. Despite the potential cost, Arnold’s acquisition is viewed as a steal for the Lions, enhancing their roster with a high-quality player perfectly suited to their needs.

Grade: A+

Watch: Terrion Arnold slept in his Lions hat after being drafted in Detroit

Detroit 1st round pick Terrion Arnold slept in his Lions hat after being drafted by the team

Terrion Arnold is the newest member of the Detroit Lions, and he’s excited about it. After being selected No. 24 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit, the Alabama cornerback is ready to get to work.

Arnold had a very late night. His press conference for reporters in the draft media center ended just before 1:30 Friday morning. Then it was off to a local hotel for a few quick hours of sleep.

In a social media post later Friday morning, Arnold was still rocking the new Lions hat he donned after being drafted. In fact, Arnold admitted he slept in the hat.

“I was so happy last night I slept with my hat on,” Arnold said with a smile. “One Pride. Went to sleep last night a Lion, woke up a Lion. One Pride man, let’s get to work,:

Lions GM Brad Holmes ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ to land Terrion Arnold

Lions GM Brad Holmes ‘couldn’t be more thrilled’ to land Terrion Arnold and started calling to trade up in the ‘late teens’

Brad Holmes got his man. It took a trade up in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft, but that’s nothing new. When the Lions GM loves a player, he’ll find a way to make it happen.

On Thursday night, Holmes saw Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold falling unexpectedly in the first round. Almost universally projected to go somewhere between No. 11 and No. 18, Arnold was still there when the Vikings traded up to No. 17. That was enough to get Holmes calling in an effort to engineer a trade of his own to land Arnold.

“Yeah, I mean, I was calling late teens,” Holmes told reporters after the pick. “I was calling just trying to see. I didn’t think he was going to be there. Really, didn’t think he was going to be there calling late teens, but really trying and thinking we were going to have to settle for a different player at a different position but still trade up.”

The unusual progression of the first round, with 14 straight offensive players to start the draft and only one minor trade in the first 15 picks, definitely changed the dynamics for Holmes and the Lions.

“It wasn’t a whole lot of trade backs that early just because it kind of fell, I think well for a lot of people. So, I’m still a little kind of – never thought he would be there, but we couldn’t be more thrilled.”

Holmes made it clear that Arnold was very high on the very short priority list entering the first round.

“We had a pretty, let’s call it ‘significant’ line underneath him to the next guy in our opinion. It wasn’t – we didn’t really have a lot of guys that were up there even in that first round bucket at that position, but he was one of the small few that was even up there in consideration for us.”

Lions find long-term solution at cornerback in Terrion Arnold

The Lions find their long-term solution at cornerback by landing Alabama CB Terrion Arnold in the 2024 NFL draft

After the first defensive back went off of the board, the Detroit Lions made a deal with the Dallas Cowboys to jump up a few spots and draft cornerback Terrion Arnold.

In the wake of Cam Sutton’s legal troubles and subsequent release, the Detroit Lions suddenly found themselves in need of a starting cornerback. Luckily (and surprisingly), Alabama’s Terrion Arnold was ripe for the taking.

Arnold should be an instant starter for Detroit as an outside cornerback. The real question is who he will start alongside. Detroit brought back Emmanuel Moseley, traded for Carlton Davis, and signed Amik Robertson. Moseley is coming off his second ACL tear in as many years and Robertson is an undersized defender better suited as a slot cornerback.

Davis is the frontrunner to start at cornerback for Detroit, but he has yet to be the primary defensive back during his career. Given his veteran status, he may be named as the top cornerback over Arnold.

Arnold is a true man coverage defensive back, using his strength and size to out-leverage opposing wide receivers. In his time at Alabama, he has proven that he has the capability to be a ball-hawk cornerback at the next level.

While his coverage skills are strong, Arnold will have to improve his tackling ability if he wants to earn and retain a starting job for the Lions. Nevertheless, he should be expected to be the guy lining up against some of the top opposing receivers this upcoming season.

Instant reaction to the Lions trading up to select Terrion Arnold

Instant reaction to the Lions trading up to select Terrion Arnold

It had been a fairly docile night in the NFL Draft media center in Detroit as the picks rolled into the 20s. There were a couple of eyebrow-raising picks, but for the most part, the reactions were pretty subdued.

Then came The Trade. The Detroit Lions moved up from No. 29 to No. 24, trading with the Dallas Cowboys to go get Alabama CB Terrion Arnold.

Even though the media center is filled with folks from all around the country covering all 32 NFL teams, the excitement was very real when the Arnold pick was revealed. And I was, uncontrollably, one of the instigators of the excitement.

I love this move. I love being aggressive to get the guy I was told at the NFL Scouting Combine in early March was the No. 1 defensive player on the Lions board. He’s an exceptional schematic fit, a press-man corner with confidence, play strength and savvy. His football IQ, his commitment to attacking in run defense, his ability to trail and to know when to drop off are all outstanding.

Arnold should vault to the top of the Lions depth chart at cornerback, though Carlton Davis won’t give that up without a fight. And fight for it they will, which is exactly what head coach Dan Campbell desires. Arnold’s culture fit is a perfect one.

The price to move up five spots is a little steep. Giving up No. 73 overall, acquired in the T.J. Hockenson trade, and only netting an extra seventh-rounder in 2025 to go with the first-round pick swap definitely swings in Dallas’ favor on the draft trade value charts. But there’s always a tax to move up, and I love that the Lions and Brad Holmes were willing to pay it to go land their desired player. No playing scared, not in Detroit.

Lions trade up to draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

Lions trade up with the Dallas Cowboys to draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold

The Detroit Lions waited a while before making their move in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The Lions traded up to the No. 24 overall pick from No. 29, dealing with the Dallas Cowboys to jump up and select Alabama CB Terrion Arnold.

The Lions traded No. 29 overall and a third-round pick, No. 73, acquired in the T.J. Hockenson trade from the Minnesota Vikings. The Cowboys traded No. 24 and a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to land Arnold.

M

 

Amon-Ra St. Brown leads ‘Ja-red Goff’ chants to start the 2024 NFL draft

Amon-Ra St. Brown leads a capacity Detroit crowd in “Ja-red Goff” chants to start the 2024 NFL draft

The “Ja-Red Goff” chants have been everywhere around the state of Michigan for the past few months. Lions fans have made it something of a battle cry, leading praise for Detroit’s Pro Bowl quarterback and leader of the offense.

His top target made sure the chants would continue at the 2024 NFL draft in downtown Detroit. All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, fresh off a record-setting contract extension, took the stage with Goff, teammate Aidan Hutchinson and Lions legends Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson.

St. Brown knew his crowd. He took the mike and started off the capacity crowd into a cacophonous chant of “Ja-Red Goff.”

“What’s up Detroit, let’s go baby!” Goff excited yelled after heading to the microphone.

The crowd kept the chant going for several refrains before Sanders and Johnson took to the mic.

What time will the Lions go on the clock at No. 29 overall?

What time will the Lions go on the clock to make their 2024 NFL draft selection at No. 29 overall?

Draft day is here! As we welcome the NFL spotlight to the city of Detroit, Lions fans need to prepare for what figures to be a long day. With the Lions picking No. 29 overall instead of the customary spot in the top handful of selections, the waiting will be the hardest part, to adapt the classic Tom Petty song.

If you’re planning on staying up to watch the announcement of the Lions pick at No. 29, brew some coffee or mix in a power nap. Last year, the 29th pick (Bryan Bresee to the Saints) was made at 11:36 p.m. in Kansas City. With the same start time of 8 p.m. ET for this year’s draft, it’s likely to be in the 11:30 p.m. range when Commissioner Roger Goodell announces Detroit’s selection.

Should the Lions trade up, here are the times (all ET) when various picks were announced in the 2023 NFL draft:

No. 24: 11:04 p.m.

No. 21: 10:39 p.m.

No. 19: 10:22 p.m.

It was 9:38 p.m. when the Lions selected Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 12 overall pick.

Breaking down Amon-Ra St. Brown’s contract extension with the Lions

Breaking down Amon-Ra St. Brown’s record-setting contract extension with the Lions

The Detroit Lions interrupted the NFL draft conversation on Wednesday by locking up All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown to a massive new contract extension. The deal locks up St. Brown through the 2028 season and includes the biggest amount of guaranteed money for any wide receiver in NFL history.

Per Spotrac, the new contract details show some cap creativity from the Lions. The deal is for $120.01 million over four years at the end of his current contract, which expires after the 2024 season. His salary cap hit for 2024 remains a relatively paltry $4.8 million.

After that, the cap hits escalate quickly thanks to the $77 million in guaranteed money, which includes a $16.6 million signing bonus. Only the prorated part of the signing bonus gets tacked onto the Lions cap in 2024.

The cap hit in the subsequent seasons, from Spotrac:

2025: $13.9M
2026: $33.1M
2027: $28.9M
2028: $41M

As is becoming the norm for the Lions and their contracts, they tacked on one void year to help spread out the cap hit even longer. The 2029 season voids and will cost Detroit $1.7 million in dead cap that year.