Ennis Rakestraw Jr 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Similar to the Oregon Ducks sending out a pair of solid Defensive Backs in Evan Williams (profile) and Khyree Jackson (profile), the Missouri Tigers are rolling out two good Cornerbacks into the 2024 NFL Draft. We’ve already covered his running mate Kris Abrams-Draine’s profile, and now we turn our focus to Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Rakestraw was part of a Missouri defense that came out of nowhere this year to finish top-25 in points per game at 32.3 ppg. What does his draft profile look like? Let’s talk about it.
Rakestraw, a former three-star recruit, played for the Tigers all four years of college and was fairly consistent in his productivity. He would total 107 tackles, 24 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and one interception for Missouri. Injuries played a factor in his final season, only playing in nine games. Missouri would finish the year 11-2, ending the year with a 14-3 win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl.
There’s a fair bit to like about the game of Ennis Rakestraw Jr. That Missouri defense played with a ton of physicality and grit, and that is the backbone of his game. The play speed doesn’t match the tape speed and that is a good thing, plays way faster. Incredibly physical on-the-line jamming receivers, makes the receiver work to get off the line, disrupting the timing with the QB. Very solid tackler, always willing to roll downhill to the carrier. Backpedal smooth, hips flip open better than average, can be loosened up more.
Didn’t jump the best at the combine, which might be a deterrent for some NFL teams, not sure it is for me. He doesn’t have the best skills working in zone coverage, feels like he doesn’t have the best spacial awareness. Has shown an inability at times to get turned around in time on go routes, leading to those quicker receivers getting long balls on him. I bet the lack of production in terms of interceptions will turn off some teams as well.
If he can stay healthy, I believe Ennis Rakestraw Jr. could become a quality pro. He had a torn ACL in 2021 and missed games this year with a groin injury, but when he is out there he is solid. I’ve gone back and forth on a draft grade for him, and I landed on second-round, but not top 50 I don’t think. I am betting on him staying healthy and continuing to work on coverage skills. I think some other CBs in the class have a higher ceiling, but his floor is higher than others.
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