The Lions Bolster Their Secondary

In a move evidencing their commitment to shoring up the defensive backfield, the Detroit Lions have tapped Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. with the 61st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The addition of Rakestraw was somewhat unexpected, given the team’s first-round selection of Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold.

Despite the somewhat surprising back-to-back cornerback picks, a closer look at the Lions’ moves this offseason reveals an overarching strategy.

Offseason Moves – Shuffling in the Secondary

The Lions’ recent transactions show a significant overhaul in their cornerback room:

• Added:
  • CB Carlton Davis (trade)
  • CB Amik Robertson (free agency)
  • CB Terrion Arnold (draft)
  • CB Ennis Rakestraw (draft)
• Lost:
  • CB Cameron Sutton (cut)
  • CB Jerry Jacobs

Given the Lions’ ranking as one of the worst in pass defense, it’s clear why drafting cornerbacks was a priority. However, the abundance of new talent at the cornerback position leads some to question if this indicates strategic depth-building or an excessive concentration of resources.

Draft Pick Hiatus Ahead

With these two selections, the Lions now face a significant gap until their next pick, which isn’t until the fifth round, at 164 overall.

Remaining Picks for the Lions

For the remaining rounds, here’s what the Lions have in store:

• Round 5, Pick 29 (164 overall)
• Round 6, Pick 19 (205 overall)
• Round 6, Pick 25 (201 overall)
• Round 7, Pick 29 (249 overall)

Priorities Moving Forward

There are still areas of need that the Detroit Lions will look to address with their upcoming picks:

• Safety
• Cornerback
• Wide Receiver
• Offensive Line
• Defensive Tackle
• Defensive End
• Kicker

NFL Draft Continues

Day 2:

• Rounds: 2-3
• When: Friday, April 26 — 7 p.m. ET Approximate End: around 11:30 p.m.
• Viewers can watch live on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network and stream via the ESPN app and NFL Plus.

Day 3:

• Rounds: 4-7
• When: Saturday, April 27 — Starts at Noon ET. Expected Finish: around 7 p.m. ET
• Channels: ABC, ESPN, NFL Network and streaming options include the ESPN app and NFL Plus.

For the latest odds, you can visit DraftKings Sportsbook.