NFL.com draft profile on CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
| February 29, 2024 07:41PM |
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Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
MISSOURI
CB
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Missouri
HOMETOWN
West Dallas, TX
CLASS
R-Junior
HEIGHT
6’ 0’’
WEIGHT
188 lbs
ARM
- -
HAND
- -
Prospect Grade
6.36
Will Eventually Be Plus Starter
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Roger McCreary
Overview
Rakestraw plays the game with good physicality and a competitive tilt that defensive back coaches will enjoy. He’s strong but not as big or fast as teams usually like when picking within the first three rounds of the draft. However, he’s hard-nosed in press and has the body control and anticipation to play a sticky brand of man coverage over the first two levels. He’s quicker than fast and does a nice job of breaking quickly on throws in front of him with well-timed challenges to knock the ball free. He intercepted only one pass during his college career, which could be a concern, but his willingness and toughness in run support work in his favor. Rakestraw could become a good backup with eventual starter potential in the right scheme.
Strengths
Highly competitive with quality toughness at the position.
Rough ride for receivers when he’s jamming them from press.
Excellent body control allows him to stay in phase against comeback routes.
Drives hard to the throw from off coverages and runs through targets.
Uses well-timed punches and slaps to disrupt the catch try.
Salty in run support with willingness to wrap and lift ball-carriers.
Weaknesses
Handsy play that will be flagged in the NFL.
Won’t often get head turned to find the football on deep throws.
Displayed some confusion from zone coverages in 2022.
Recovery speed comes into question at times.
Tore his ACL in 2021 and missed multiple games in 2023 due to groin injury.
Sources Tell Us
“I just don’t know how he’s going to run. You can mix and match him in coverages, but I think there will be some man matchups that are going to be tough for him.” - NFC regional scout
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
MISSOURI
CB
Prospect Info
COLLEGE
Missouri
HOMETOWN
West Dallas, TX
CLASS
R-Junior
HEIGHT
6’ 0’’
WEIGHT
188 lbs
ARM
- -
HAND
- -
Prospect Grade
6.36
Will Eventually Be Plus Starter
Analysis
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst
NFL Comparison
Roger McCreary
Overview
Rakestraw plays the game with good physicality and a competitive tilt that defensive back coaches will enjoy. He’s strong but not as big or fast as teams usually like when picking within the first three rounds of the draft. However, he’s hard-nosed in press and has the body control and anticipation to play a sticky brand of man coverage over the first two levels. He’s quicker than fast and does a nice job of breaking quickly on throws in front of him with well-timed challenges to knock the ball free. He intercepted only one pass during his college career, which could be a concern, but his willingness and toughness in run support work in his favor. Rakestraw could become a good backup with eventual starter potential in the right scheme.
Strengths
Highly competitive with quality toughness at the position.
Rough ride for receivers when he’s jamming them from press.
Excellent body control allows him to stay in phase against comeback routes.
Drives hard to the throw from off coverages and runs through targets.
Uses well-timed punches and slaps to disrupt the catch try.
Salty in run support with willingness to wrap and lift ball-carriers.
Weaknesses
Handsy play that will be flagged in the NFL.
Won’t often get head turned to find the football on deep throws.
Displayed some confusion from zone coverages in 2022.
Recovery speed comes into question at times.
Tore his ACL in 2021 and missed multiple games in 2023 due to groin injury.
Sources Tell Us
“I just don’t know how he’s going to run. You can mix and match him in coverages, but I think there will be some man matchups that are going to be tough for him.” - NFC regional scout
