Category: Lions News

Lions have a long term plan at cornerback after the 2024 NFL Draft

Lions have a long term plan at cornerback after using their first two picks of the 2024 NFL Draft on Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw

Catching Lions fans by surprise, the Detroit Lions selected Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw with the 61st overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. This caught fans off guard because on the opening night of the draft, the Lions moved up and selected Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold with the 24th overall pick.

Now some may look at Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell and say they’re trying to be the “smartest guys in the room” by doubling down at the cornerback position. Before you think that, just look at what the Philadelphia Eagles did with their first two picks of the year. They did the exact same thing so let’s just hit the brakes.

Fortunately, there’s a general consensus to trust Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell when it comes to the way they attack the draft process They operate with conviction and they trust their process. For the 2024 NFL Draft, not only did the Lions draft good football players but they showed that they’re preparing for the future.

It’s not a move that we’ve seen very often as Lions fans but a long term plan at the cornerback position is a smart move by Detroit. For starters, they only have Carlton Davis and Emmanuel Moseley under contract for this upcoming season. Additionally, they only signed Amik Robertson to a two-year contract.

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Despite having those veteran defensive backs, there’s longevity concerns with Davis and Moseley. Both players have dealt with multiple injuries over the last two seasons. Most importantly, it was clear that the Lions had issues in the secondary last season.

The Lions allowed the 6th most passing yards per game (247.4 passing yards) and the 6th most passing touchdowns (28 passing touchdowns) in the NFL last season. Getting a plan in place to improve their secondary was a priority this off-season and it’s clear the Lions front office felt the same way.

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Adding Rakestraw and Arnold gives the Lions their future number one and number two cornerbacks. They are the exact type of players that the Lions value. Tough and hard nosed football players that get after it every chance they get. For both players, I described them both as willing run defenders that embrace contact on the perimeter.

According to PFF run defense scores, the top-2 scores belong to Arnold (90.6) and Rakestraw (89.0). Those are the exact players that will be valued in Detroit under this regime. Here’s my overall projections on both players from my 2024 NFL Draft Guide:

Terrion Arnold — “Arnold enters the NFL with the projection of being a number one cornerback. Defenses searching for a corner that excels in man coverage will love the talent possessed by Arnold. He plays physical and loves contact and competition from the opposition. His aggressiveness will get him trouble as it appears to cause his technique to get wild or it’ll take him out of position. But his fluidity, effort and ability to press and lockdown receivers is encouraging for his development in the NFL.”

Ennis Rakestraw — “Rakestraw is a highly competitive cornerback that is tough and physical. His length helps him jam and redirect defenders while battling at the catch point. Productive in both man and zone coverage, he appears best suited as a press-man corner in the NFL. His aggressiveness in the run game is a plus on the perimeter but his physicality can become troublesome downfield in coverage. If Rakestraw can stay healthy, he can be a number two cornerback in a defense looking for another man defender.”

With Terrion Arnold, he needs to clean up some of his lower body technique as he tends to leave his feet too early and his lower half doesn’t always follow or flow evenly with the rest of his body.

As for Rakestraw, he will get flagged due to his physical nature but the biggest key for him is staying healthy. The ACL injury in 2021 and groin injury in 2023 will be worth monitoring. Oddly enough, I compared Rakestraw to current Lions cornerback Emmanuel Moseley.

No matter the pro comparisons and some of the slight knocks to both players games, I’m very excited for their development in Detroit. To me, the Lions got great value with Rakestraw and in all honesty, the same could be said about Arnold. After all, the Crimson Tide defender was my top ranked corner and my 14th ranked player in the draft.

Getting better on defense was clearly a big part of the Lions agenda this off-season. Fortunately, they developed a plan and stuck to it. On paper, it makes sense and appears to be a great plan. We’ll see how it transitions to success on the field but right now, the future looks bright in the Lions secondary.

The Ennis Rakestraw selection forces a complicated reaction

The Lions draft selection of Ennis Rakestraw forces a complicated reaction and analysis

Analyzing the Detroit Lions selection of Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw is a complex exercise. His profile, fit and selection circumstance definitely conjure mixed feelings. There’s quite a bit to really love, but also some important questions that need to get answered but won’t get resolved overnight.

Let’s get into the talented outside cornerback from Missouri.

Rakestraw was the No. 56 player on my big board, which inherently makes the pick a solid value from my perspective. He’s a player who should rank higher for the Lions because of his style of play; Rakestraw is an aggressive, straight press-man cornerback on the outside, not a zone coverage guy and not a slot. He’s a smart player on and off the field, and he relishes the challenge of going up against the opponent’s top weapon. He’s got

I do have concerns with Rakestraw. It starts with his durability. He missed most of the 2021 season with a torn ACL, then missed four games last year with a groin injury. He had core muscle surgery this offseason for a separate injury, which kept him out of the Senior Bowl. Rakestraw weighs just 183 pounds on a lanky 5-foot-11 frame that really does look taller in person.

The other concern is with his recovery speed. As I noted in his prospect breakdown,

“Top-end speed isn’t great and he lacks a chase gear when beaten; the 4.54 40-time at the combine shows on tape.”

The good thing about Rakestraw is that he knows his own game well enough to adapt to playing with below-average top speed. He’s very physical at the line and uses his strength and body positioning very well to prevent clean releases for receivers. He also gets a little grabby, something that will need to get cleaned up–and something true of many college CBs.

So, scheme fit: check. Grit fit: big check. It’s very easy to see why the Lions and Holmes loved him and couldn’t resist taking him even though they just traded a third-round pick to move up and take Arnold and traded another third-round pick for Carlton Davis earlier this offseason. All three are at their best playing the exact same spot…and that’s where the other concern creeps in.

I’ll know better how I feel about this pick in a couple of years when we all see how Rakestraw is working out in relative comparison to some of the other players who were available that I would have taken over him in Detroit at No. 61. Among those I’ll be keeping a comparative eye on:

  • Cooper Beebe, OL, Kansas State (Cowboys pick No. 73 overall)
  • Malachi Corley, WR, Western Kentucky (Jets, 65th)
  • Zak Zinter, OL, Michigan (Browns, 85th)
  • Bralen Trice, EDGE, Washington (Falcons, 74th)

Rakestraw is a good player, no doubt about it. I’m bullish on what he can do in Detroit if he stays healthy and cleans up his grabbiness to meet NFL officiating standards. However, double-dipping in the first two rounds at the same position is risky when there’s so little depth along the offensive line, safety and defensive interior.

Cornerback depth thins out after 2024, too, and that’s when the evaluation clock really begins on Rakestraw and his selection here. Fingers crossed.

 

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.

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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.