Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. logged a significant 22 defensive snaps in the Detroit Lions’ Week 3 win against the New York Jets. That’s a huge jump for a guy who’d seen only 46 total defensive snaps since being drafted 61st overall in 2024! Talk about getting thrown into the fire! Rakestraw was mostly matched up against Garrett Wilson, one of the league’s top receivers, and he seriously stepped up to the challenge. He absolutely locked Wilson down to only one catch on four targets, even pulling off an impressive pass breakup on the sideline in the first quarter, swatting the ball right out of the receiver’s hands.
From Healthy Scratch to Stepping Up Big
Think about this: Rakestraw was a healthy scratch for Week 1 against the Saints and Week 2 versus the Bills. Imagine going from watching from the sidelines to staring down Garrett Wilson! But the Lions’ secondary was in a tough spot with an inauspicious start to the season, leading them to shake things up. They opted to limit Rock Ya-Sin’s snaps, giving more outside action to Roger McCreary. When the defense shifted into nickel packages, McCreary slid inside to the slot, and boom, Rakestraw was in on the outside. This kid got his shot, and he knew it. He said it himself from the Ford Field locker room, “I learned that I could play in this league. I finally got to play in a game. I knew what kind of challenge it was going to be backside with (Wilson). I mean, (he’s) paid a lot of money. Kind of just had to step up to it.” That’s the kind of grit you love to see, stepping up when the team needs you most.
Campbell’s Praise and the Road Ahead for the Secondary
Lions coach Dan Campbell was quick to recognize the effort, saying Monday, September 28, that Rakestraw is “gonna get some more (opportunities) here.” Campbell thought Rakestraw “showed up” and called his performance “promising.” He’s clearly bought in, adding, “I think Rake’s got a chance, man. He’s got the ability. He wants to do it right, he works at it. I think the more opportunities he gets, the better he’ll get. He’s got some cover ability, now. He’s got some stickiness to him.” That’s high praise! Even Rakestraw himself, while “pretty happy” with his overall performance, was frustrated he let Wilson move the chains on a third down in the fourth quarter. Wilson got him with an outbreaking route, and while Rakestraw was close, he couldn’t bat it away. It shows he’s got that competitive fire, always wanting to be perfect. His expanded opportunities are going to be on the outside, not in the slot, where guys like D.J. Reed (61 snaps), McCreary (30), Rakestraw (22), and Ya-Sin (10) all played against the Jets. The Lions desperately need all the help they can get in their depleted secondary, still waiting for Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) to return. If Rakestraw can keep this upward trajectory going, he could be the much-needed boost this defense is screaming for.
This kid’s performance is a huge flash of potential. Can he sustain it and become a real difference-maker for the Lions? Everyone will be watching his reps closely to see if he truly is the answer in that struggling secondary.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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