The Lions didn’t land the cornerback move plenty of people were waiting for, and instead watched Joey Porter Jr. head to the Dallas Cowboys for a draft pick haul. That left Detroit with the same basic problem, even if the path to solving it looks a little different now.
At cornerback, the Lions may have to trust internal growth before anything else. And after Week 3, Ennis Rakestraw Jr. gave them a reason to at least lean in.
Against Garrett Wilson, he played with the kind of confidence and poise that made him look like a player who could handle a much bigger role. For a defense that has already seen Chuck Clark and Christian Izien step in at safety and help steady things, Rakestraw’s showing opened the door to the same kind of optimism on the back end.
Still, one strong outing shouldn’t turn into a full-scale rewrite of expectations. Rakestraw has barely been on the field early in his career, and the learning curve at cornerback is never gentle.
On top of that, he still has to prove he can stay healthy after an injury-riddled last two years. The talent is there, but the runway has been short.
That’s why it would be a mistake to treat him like a Porter replacement overnight. He’s not there yet, and the Lions don’t need to pretend otherwise.
What they need is steady play first, then growth. If Rakestraw keeps stacking reps and experience, there’s a real chance he can develop into a top-level contributor at the position.
Detroit also can’t afford to stop looking for help. Even with Rakestraw emerging, the Lions should stay open to adding another corner before the trade deadline. More support at the position would not only help the defense, it would also take some of the pressure off Rakestraw and give him a better environment to keep growing.
Rakestraw understands the moment, but he also knows one game doesn’t finish the story. He hasn’t played consistently in essentially two years, so there will be bumps ahead and more uneven stretches to come. But the confidence around him mattered in that first step forward.
"It was fun. Like I said, the main thing for me was the confidence that everybody had in me, the defense, the coaches, and especially my position crew.
They were saying 'You can get it done. Show them who you are.'
And I think I did pretty good for a couple plays."
That’s the right lens for Detroit right now. Rakestraw had a promising night, but he’s still building.
He’s not a fix-all, and he’s not a miracle answer. For the Lions, the smart move is patience: let him grow, keep helping him, and keep expectations in check.
In Other News...
Panthers Hit With New NFL Discipline Right Before Lions Game
The Panthers are dealing with a little added noise before their matchup with the Lions, as the NFL handed down fines to three Carolina players for penalties committed in Week 3 against Cleveland. A.J. Dillon was fined for a facemask, Lee Hunter for unsportsmanlike conduct tied to taunting, and Thomas Incoom for unnecessary roughness involving helmet use.
None of the three was suspended, so Carolina will still have its full group available when it lines up against Detroit. Even so, the discipline serves as a reminder that the league is watching closely, and the Lions will face a Panthers team trying to keep its edge without letting the extra attention spill into Sunday. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Face A Sam LaPorta Question They Couldn't Settle
The Lions and Sam LaPorta have hit pause on contract-extension talks after several weeks of negotiations failed to produce a deal, a familiar sort of detour for a franchise that has not shied away from working on its own timeline. LaPortas side decided to step back for now so the tight end can stay focused on the season, leaving open the possibility that the conversation picks up again once the games are over.
For Detroit, the situation turns one of its most important young pieces into an offseason question again, even if the door is not closed. The team has a history of handling contracts during the season, and it would not be a surprise if it tries again to keep LaPorta in place long term, especially with the chance that any agreement could land him among the leagues highest-paid tight ends. [Read more 🡒]
Isaac TeSlaa Has A Real Chance To Build On Last Week
Isaac TeSlaa finally gave the Lions a glimpse of what he can add to the passing game last week, finishing with four catches for 66 yards against the Jets. For a second-year receiver still trying to carve out a steadier role, it was the kind of outing that can change how a coaching staff looks at the depth chart from one week to the next.
The next opportunity looks even more inviting against Carolina, which has already lost two starting cornerbacks to injured reserve. With Detroit likely looking to keep feeding TeSlaa after his uptick in involvement, betting analyst Drew Ellis is expecting him to top his receiving total from last week, a sign that this might be more than a one-game spike for a young player trying to force his way into the offense. [Read more 🡒]