The Detroit Lions are not locking their cornerbacks into one position as they look to replace Terrion Arnold.
Dan Campbell said Avieon Terrell, Roger McCreary and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. will receive opportunities both outside and in the slot while Detroit searches for its best secondary combinations.
D.J. Reed and Rock Ya-Sin are expected to remain primarily on the outside. The rest of the room will be asked to prove it can handle multiple assignments.
Avieon Terrell and Roger McCreary Will Get Outside Reps
McCreary has significant experience working from the slot, while Terrell entered the NFL with experience playing outside in college.
Campbell wants both players prepared for more than one role.
“They will take some outside reps. McCreary has played outside. Avieon did in college, too.
“I know he just stepped into our building, but they’ll take some of those outside reps. We still want to let them sink their teeth into some of this nickel work.
“We’re going to let Rakestraw take a little nickel, too, on some of this stuff and see where it is.
“All of those guys have to be prepared to go outside. The guys we know will stay outside right now are Reed and Rock. Then, with those other guys, we need to see if they can do some things inside.”
That flexibility could become especially valuable over a long season.
Injuries can force a nickel corner outside with little warning. Matchups can also change which players Detroit wants near the boundary or working against quicker receivers in the middle of the field.
Campbell wants those answers before the regular season arrives.
Lions Still Believe in Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Rakestraw enters a major training camp after injuries prevented him from establishing a consistent role during his first two NFL seasons.
Campbell believes the former second-round pick has the natural movement skills needed to play outside.
“The injury history with him has not allowed us to really see everything he can do, but we know that’s where he banked a lot of reps in college, on the outside.
“He has excellent feet and hips. His change of direction is excellent. He has ball skills, and he can track the ball down the field.
“There are things he has naturally that you feel are conducive to playing outside. That’s probably where he’ll spend most of his time, but let’s see what he can do inside, too.”
That is an important vote of confidence for a player who still has plenty to prove.
Detroit has seen flashes from Rakestraw, but availability has kept those flashes from becoming a dependable body of work. This camp gives him a chance to turn his athletic traits into a real role.
Campbell Excited to See Rakestraw’s Growth
Campbell also pointed to Rakestraw’s personal development entering his third season.
“He’s going into Year 3, although he hasn’t banked a ton of reps. You begin to mature, grow and learn.
“We feel like, just from what he is internally, and I’m not talking about the football player, you mature, you grow and you learn. We’re pretty excited for him this camp to see what he has.”
The Lions need more than potential from Rakestraw now.
They need him to stay healthy, compete for a starting job and show he can handle the mental demands of playing multiple spots in the secondary.
Bottom Line
Detroit’s cornerback competition will not be as simple as assigning one player to the slot and another to the boundary.
Reed and Ya-Sin provide stability outside. Terrell, McCreary and Rakestraw will be tested across multiple positions as Kelvin Sheppard looks for the best combination.
Rakestraw may have the largest opportunity of anyone in the room.
Campbell still believes the talent is there. Training camp will finally give the Lions a chance to see whether the former second-round pick is ready to turn it into production.
One Response
Avieon Terrell was a 2nd round pick for Atlanta this year. I am confused. Shouldn’t this be Keith Abney?