Of all the guys we brought in for 2024, who you might have been down on, who has made you think, “Hey, this was a really good pickup after all?”
For me, it’s Rakestraw. To me he was an afterthought in the draft – I was was looking more at Sainristil and Lassiter at pick 61 when I was doing mocks. Given we had already drafted Arnold and acquired Davis and Robertson, he seemed like overkill at the position. I didn’t groove on his early interviews – again, in comparison to Terrion, he seemed diffident.
I think I was wrong about him. He’s starting to produce in camp. But, more than that, I now see a steady fire burning in this guy, something dark and intense, and I like it. He’s sharp, and he might be terrifying.
I’ll go beyond this year and say Jared Goff. I didn’t think he’d bounce back the way he has after his fallout with the Rams and rough start here in Detroit. This kid has stood up to every ■■■■■■■ obstacle that had been thrown his way….and there is never a worry on his face!
Every season we hear names of guys flashing in camp, but rarely translates to meaningful impact in season. If Arnold and Levi are anything close to what’s being advertised this defense might nasty. Man I hope so. It’s actually the O that I have concerns about. Time will tell.
I’m still on record thinking that Rake will be better than Terrion. This is no slight about Terrion, but I just love the physical nature Rake plays with and he seems to have some ball hawk in him.
