The Detroit Lions entered the 2024 NFL Draft on April 25 with seven picks over the three-day draft, which they are hosting. They now have six picks in 2024 after trading Nos. 29 and 73 to the Dallas Cowboys for No. 24, which they used to draft Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold. The Lions also gained a seventh-round pick in 2025 in the trade.
On Friday, in Round 2, they selected another cornerback: Missouri’s Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
The Lions are coming off their best season in three decades, going 12-5 in the regular season, winning the NFC North and advancing to the NFC Championship Game. Now they have their eyes on the Super Bowl. Their roster has no glaring holes, but in addition to cornerback they might consider drafting players at defensive tackle, offensive line, edge, wide receiver and kicker.
Keep coming back here throughout the draft for analysis and grades for each Lions pick.
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NFL Draft 2024 ‘The Beast’ Guide: Dane Brugler’s scouting reports and player rankings
Round 1
No. 24 (via Cowboys): Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
How he fits
The local fans in Detroit were concerned the Lions might trade out of the first round. But when the corners started falling, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell couldn’t help but pick up the phone. Detroit trades up five spots, from No. 29 to No. 24 and fills a big need. Arnold and Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell were pretty clearly the top two corners in this draft. Top 15 prospects on my board.
For Detroit, Arnold fills an obvious need and is a perfect fit for Detroit’s culture. He is a confident corner who plays with swag, he loves to work, he loves tough coaching and he loves to win. Arnold also gets to reunite with Brian Branch in a new-look Detroit secondary. Another great value pick. — Nick Baumgardner
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“A basketball-focused athlete most of his life, Arnold is fluid when he opens up with speed, gear-down skills and body control to stay in phase with basic or sophisticated routes. With average recovery skills, he needs to continue developing his discipline versus both pass and the run, but his awareness for the football is outstanding, and he plays with urgency in run support. Overall, Arnold offers an ideal blend of cover athleticism and competitive makeup, with the ball skills to make plays at every level of the field. He is scheme-versatile and has the talent to work inside or outside.
“He can be an NFL team’s No. 1 cornerback, offering a skill set similar to that of the Chicago Bears’ Jaylon Johnson.”
Colton Pouncy’s analysis
Detroit Lions draft Alabama CB Terrion Arnold: How he fits, pick grade and scouting intel
Nick Baumgardner’s grade: A
Round 1 grades for all 32 picks
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Round 2
No. 61: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
How he fits
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glen couldn’t call as much man coverage as he wanted to last season simply because he didn’t have the corners to do it. GM Brad Holmes has attacked that problem with aggression. The Lions traded for Carlton Davis III, drafted Arnold in the first round and now have drafted Rakestraw, another press man corner, in the second round. Rakestraw is undersized and doesn’t have great speed but he’s competitive and instinctive. — Ted Nguyen
Dane Brugler’s analysis
“With his physicality and footwork, Rakestraw is at his best in press man, where he can stay square and smother underneath routes. Though he stays balanced in his transitions, he can lose a stride vertically to speed (his 1.92 “flying 20” time ranked 26th out of 28 cornerbacks who ran the 40-yard dash at the combine). His lack of interception-worthy plays is a concern, too.
“Overall, Rakestraw doesn’t have the desired long speed or build for his position, and his injury history is a concern, but he plays aggressive, sticky coverage with NFL-quality movement skills and confidence. He has NFL starting man-cover talent, if he stays healthy.”
Scott Dochterman’s grade: A-minus
Round 2-3 grades for every pick
Round 3
No picks
Round 4
No picks
Round 5
No. 164
Round 6
No. 201 (via Buccaneers)
No. 205
Round 7
No. 249
(Photo of Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: Ed Zurga / Getty Images)
