The Detroit Lions’ defensive staff delivered important updates regarding the secondary’s depth chart.

Detroit’s defensive backfield showed improvement last season, but as they head into 2025, a few key uncertainties remain. One concern is the lack of well-defined depth behind their elite safety duo. Another centers on second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, who spent most of his rookie season sidelined with an injury and whose role remained unclear.

However, Thursday’s press conferences with the team’s defensive coaches helped clear up both matters.

Regarding Rakestraw, defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend confirmed that the 2024 second-round pick will be primarily working as an outside cornerback.

“Right now, our plan is to have him focus on the outside and let him compete at that spot,” Townsend said. “Amik (Robertson) has handled nickel duties well. We’ve also got Avonte (Maddox), who offers position flexibility. That’ll help him, too.”

This plan is slightly unexpected. Rakestraw was initially set to start at nickel in a game last season before a pregame injury took him out. Still, during training camp, he logged significant reps outside and was seen as a versatile asset.

Although he’ll retain that flexibility, the Lions seem to trust Amik Robertson more at nickel for now. Robertson played there for most of the previous season before shifting outside due to injuries.

As it stands, Rakestraw will likely begin the season as a backup behind veteran D.J. Reed and 2024 first-round pick Terrion Arnold. Despite that, Townsend is optimistic about what Rakestraw could become in his second year.

“What I really appreciate is his mindset during his recovery,” Townsend said. “He recognized what went wrong last year. Injuries are tough, but now his focus is on getting stronger. Last year was all about preparing for the combine. Now, he can just concentrate on improving his craft. He gets it.”

On the safety front, veteran Avonte Maddox looks set to take on a hybrid role similar to Brian Branch—splitting time between nickel and safety. When asked about the depth concerns after losing Ifeatu Melifonwu, coach Jim O’Neil quickly mentioned Maddox.

“We lost Iffy, but we added Maddox,” O’Neil said. “He’s played inside his whole career, as a nickel/safety hybrid. That’s been his identity since Philly.”

Maddox had a varied role with the Eagles last year. After being replaced at nickel by rookie Cooper DeJean, he was used situationally at both safety spots. Back in 2018, when he was drafted by the Eagles, he began as a safety before transitioning to nickel, where he spent most of his seven-year tenure. Now, he’s expected to provide depth at both nickel and safety.

In terms of safety depth, O’Neil pointed to a tight competition involving five relatively unknown prospects: rookies Dan Jackson and Ian Kennelly, second-year players Morice Norice and Loren Strickland, and Erick Hallett, a 2023 sixth-round pick by the Jaguars.

“We’ve got five young guys who are eager but untested. There’s one opening. Go get it,” said O’Neil. “We’re excited to watch them battle. They’ll get heavy reps in OTAs and preseason. Hopefully, a couple of them really stand out.”

O’Neil praised both rookie additions, highlighting Kennelly from Grand Valley State, who impressed everyone at the team’s local pro day.

“He showed out at local day. Not just us DB coaches—Fipp and Dan noticed him, too. Everyone was like, ‘Who is this guy?’” O’Neil said.

“When we watched the film afterward, what he showed at local day matched up: physical, fast, good tracking ability. He’s raw but has promise. Right now, he’s mentally overloaded with all the schemes we’re installing, but he’s clearly athletic and talented. Hopefully, he grows into a real contributor.”

As for Jackson, O’Neil connected with the Georgia product during Combine interviews. His path from walk-on to starter showed resilience, and O’Neil also valued his football IQ.

“He was the leader of that defense—handled communication and reads. Super smart football mind,” said O’Neil. “We’ve challenged him mentally on purpose, and he’s responded well. He just needs to stop overthinking at times. But in just one week, I like what I’ve seen.”

So now the Lions’ secondary depth looks a bit more defined heading into camp. Still, the team emphasizes competition, and everything remains up for grabs in mid-May.