"Ennis would be another guy that stood out," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Thursday. "It's up to him. He's got an opportunity. We're going to play the best guy. That's what competition's about. The whole roster knows that. If you're the best guy, we're not going to just sit there. It's the best guy.
"He's going to have a chance to compete. We'd like to keep him outside right now and just let him go. He had a good spring. There again, we're in pajamas, but he's going to get a chance to compete and see how much he's grown and what kind of production he can have for us."
First, Rakestraw said it's important to prove to himself and the coaching staff he can be available.
"Last year I felt like I wasn't available for the most part, and that kind of made me mad and disappointed," he said after Thursday's final OTA practice. "Coming in as a rookie you have these goals for yourself. They drafted me and Terrion so I thought I was going to get to play with him a lot. Wound up not happening. Life, unfortunately."
This spring has been very different in that regard for Rakestraw as he's out to prove he can stay healthy and make an impact.