Detroit Lions news: Ben Johnson, Sam LaPorta, a popular draft fit, the Super Bowl window

A popular February mock draft target for the Lions gets more buzz

Cornerback is an easy priority for the Lions this offseason, of course including in the draft and with their first-round pick. Missouri cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has become a trendy pick at No. 29 overall in mock drafts.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (subscription required) has the Lions taking Rakestraw at No. 29 in his first 2024 mock draft.

"Cornerback is a huge position of need for the Lions, and while they’ll address it on some level in free agency, they need a long-term solution on the outside,”  “Rakestraw doesn’t have huge ball production with one interception in four years, but he’s the type of feisty, physical corner the Lions want on defense.“

ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller was asked about Rakestraw to the Lions during a video call with media on Tuesday, given the mock draft trend, and he gave a ringing endorsement of the fit.

It's a deep draft class at cornerback this year, which is great news for the Lions since an immediate impact player seems sure to fall to them at pick 29. Rakestraw seems like the kind of "gritty" player Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell covet, which bolsters the fit that's getting so much buzz.

As a side note, the Lions have four top-100 picks in April's draft. Only two teams have more top-100 picks right now.