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The Detroit Lions secondary had a difficult season in 2017, finishing 27th in passing touchdowns and 27th in passing yards. Out of all the cornerbacks, Brian Branch, Jerry Jacobs, and Cameron Sutton played the most snaps.
Sutton’s grade was 56.0 PFF and he gave up 889 passing yards. Jacobs got a 57.1 PFF grade and gave up 602 yards. Ultimately, Branch graded 78.1 PFF and gave up 424 yards.
Since the Lions decided not to tender Jacobs and dismissed Sutton, Branch is the only cornerback still under contract on this list.
For the 2020 campaign, Rakestraw made a three-star recruit commitment to the Tigers. With the team, he would have a successful career, appearing in 36 games and starting 32. In addition to 24 pass deflections, he recorded 107 tackles and one interception.
In 2023, Rakestraw saw action in nine games, starting eight of them. He recorded 35 tackles, four pass deflections, and an 80.7 PFF rating. He sustained an abdominal and groin ailment that kept him out of four games. Per PFF, he gave up 97 yards, one touchdown, and 18 receptions on 28 targets for a passer rating of 96.9.
“Defense back coaches will appreciate Rakestraw’s competitive tilt and good physicality in the game.” When a team selects him in the first three rounds of the draft, they typically prefer him because he is strong but not as big or quick.
But during the first two stages, he plays a sticky style of man coverage thanks to his body control and anticipation. He is also a hard-nosed journalist. Because of his superior speed, he can break rapidly on throws in front of him and time his challenges to knock the ball clear. Although the fact that he only intercepted one ball throughout his time in college raises some red flags, his toughness and desire to run support work to his advantage. Rakestraw might develop into a reliable backup before taking the lead.
He probably won’t start the next season, but since Carlton Davis III will be an unrestricted free agent in 2025, he might be a factor in his second campaign.
