Thanks to Brad Holmes, the Detroit Lions had another strong draft this year.
This year, the Lions found themselves in a position they are not used to, picking 29th. Instead of staying put, they moved up to 24th by giving up a third-round pick to select Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold and drafted another cornerback Ennis Rakestraw from Missouri in the second round.
Arnold and his teammate Kool-Aid McKinstry formed the nation's top cornerback while at Alabama. Ironically, the Lions could have drafted McKinstry at 29 had they stayed there and kept their third-round pick.
F it. Terrion Arnold highlights. #OnePride pic.twitter.com/2UnLbYOXCH
— Natalie Sparbeck (@NatSparbeck) April 26, 2024
Arnold is battled tested and has a nose for the ball, leading the SEC in both interceptions (five) and 17 pass deflections. He can play both the slot and outside where he is expected to start along with newly acquired Carlton Davis. He would have been taken higher on any other year had it not been for a record number of offensive players taken in the first round in this year's draft.
Like Arnold, Rakestraw is battle-tested and mentally tough playing in the SEC. He could see plenty of action as a nickelback in his rookie season. The Lions' secondary gave up 28 passing touchdowns last season, which was the sixth worst in the league, so they can use all the help they can get in the secondary.
Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Highlights - Welcome to the Detroit Lions pic.twitter.com/PgP9EkcaSt
— Football Feen (@f00tballfeen) April 29, 2024
His thin frame may pose a problem going up against bigger, physical receivers, and some say he might be suited as a slot corner in the long run. Nonetheless, the Lions are well prepared to face a gauntlet of talented receivers within the division six times this season (Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Keenan Allen, DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Jayden Reed).