Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
CB Missouri 5-11 183 JR #2
ARM LENGTH: 32”//HAND SIZE: 8 1/2”//40YD: 4.51 //10YD: 1.54
VJ: DNP//BJ: 10’0” //BP: DNP//SS: DNP//3C: DNP
Projection: Starting CB who likely best fits in a heavier man scheme but is likely scheme diverse with some development.. Draft Projection: Early Round 2 ~ GrindingTheMocks.com
Ravens Fit: Rakestraw really does play like a Raven. His physicality and absolute desire to get after ball carriers and make hits reminds me of this current iteration of the Ravens defense. He would fit perfectly as a third front-line starting CB and is versatile enough to be moved around the formation like Marlon Humphrey. He would fit in perfectly as another guy who would willingly get involved in run support. He does however require a little bit of development as a Zone defender and the Ravens run far more Zone coverage than they used to under previous DCs. I don’t think that stops him from feeling like a Raven though.
Overall Fit 
4/5
Context
Versatile CB who plays mostly outside but does play in the slot too.
Coverage
He is a physical and aggressive CB with good play strength, so he is more comfortable in press man with a jam. He can get his hands on the receiver and disrupt the route at the line of scrimmage. He has good placement and timing with his hands that allows him to keep the receiver off his stem. Against him, any shorter routes are tough to target as he can keep the receiver pinned to the sideline or severely disrupt the timing of the route. His aggressive temperament in this phase of the route is extremely effective and will allow him to take advantage of the first five yards of the route at the next level.
When in soft press he does have good foot speed to match angles and he’s patient; however, receivers with a very good plan at the line of scrimmage can compete against him. In off or bail coverage he shows his ability to read the receiver and understands very well where routes will break. He then uses his excellent reactive athleticism, but he is also reliant on his physicality here, something he won’t be able to use as frequently at the next level. At the break-point he will match most receivers with play strength and competitiveness, as they struggle to clear their hands to disengage. It means he is very sticky at the breakpoint, but he lives on the verge of holding penalties. If he doesn’t press with a jam at the line of scrimmage and the receiver is a very good salesman with his routes, and therefore able to keep enough space between them to prevent him using his physicality, then he will give up just over an arm-length of separation on in-breaking, 90 degree underneath routes.
In most other circumstances he is able to use his excellent hip fluidity and his reactive athleticism to mirror receivers in a confined area and stay in phase, making it very difficult for the QB to target his guy. He has excellent footwork and his turns are effective. In Zone coverage, he does read the QB well but he could process route progressions more effectively so he can better understand how the offense is trying to attack their coverage. He will drive on the football with explosion and he can find the football well but he doesn’t always time his pass break-ups perfectly and it can leave him unable to get his hands on the ball, especially against bigger receivers who understand how to position their body to help prevent him from getting hands on the ball. When he does catch the ball he’s a dangerous return weapon.
Run Support
His physicality, toughness, aggression and competitiveness show up in his run support. He diagnoses the run effectively and is eager to get involved. He will play his role as a force player but he’s not just looking to hold up, he wants to constrict the running lane and make a play on the ball carrier. He will insert himself against the run. He takes excellent angles in pursuit to the ball carrier and once he gets there, you can see him deploy his physicality, laying big hits, but he also has outstanding technique, making sure he wraps up. He gets all types of runner to the ground, even far bigger Running Backs. He flies to the football when there is a chance to make a hit on a receiver or running back.
SUMMARY
CB who excels jamming at the LOS and disrupting the route with physicality. Can be a little grabby and will need to adjust at the next level. Really good run support
PRODUCTION
RS JR: 33 To.Tackles, 2 PBUs, 1 FF RS
SO: 40 To.Tackles, 1 INT, 10 PBUs, 1 FF
10 Career Return TDs
Injury: Core muscle surgery (RS JR), Torn ACL (SO)
RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 5
Intelligence 4
Versatility 4
Grit 5
Scheme 4
