Detroit Lions second-round pick cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. addressed the media after the first rookie minicamp practice Friday in Allen Park. After a few questions from reporters, a voice to the right and slightly behind Rakestraw chimed in.
"I've got a question," they said. "How do you think your first day of practice went?"
Rakestraw looked over and saw it was fellow rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold. Rakestraw smiled, and like a seasoned vet, he didn't miss a beat.
"Got the blood going a little bit," Rakestraw said. "Got to go out there with Terrion. You got to go meet him he's really a clown type of player."
View photos from Day 1 of Detroit Lions rookie minicamp on Friday, May 10, 2024 in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steele Chambers (51) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions President and CEO Rod Wood and Detroit Lions General Manager and Executive Vice President Brad Holmes during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Duke Clemens (63) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions long snapper Hogan Hatten (49) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steele Chambers (51) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker James Turner (43) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Morice Norris (39) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker DaRon Gilbert (53) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Line Coach Hank Fraley, Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Rex (86) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Rex (86) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steele Chambers (51) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Isaac Rex (86) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Isaac Ukwu (45) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Isaac Ukwu (45) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions kicker James Turner (43) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Isaac Ukwu (45) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during rookie minicamp at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 10, 2024. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
A few minutes later when it was Arnold's time to speak to reporters, Rakestraw repaid the favor and crashed Arnold's presser with his own questions.
Arnold eventually grabbed Rakestraw and pulled him behind the microphone and said: "Bring my brother in. They drafted both of us and us ... we're going to be here a long time."
It's easy to see the chemistry these two young cornerbacks have already built. The Lions are hoping that goes a long way in them someday joining second-year nickel cornerback Brian Branch as the future at the position in Detroit. But first, both Arnold and Rakestraw have to earn roles in what's expected to be one of the most hotly contested position battles on the roster.
"They got their hands full," Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew said Friday before the start of minicamp. "Carlton Davis is a heck of a football player. He's played a lot of football in the National Football League. Emmanuel Moseley, when he's healthy, he's as good as anybody in coverage. Along with Amik Robertson, who is a tough, physical, aggressive player himself.
"So, there will be a lot of competition in that room, which is great, competition breeds the best out of anybody. We're excited about that."
The Lions were excited to come out of this year's NFL Draft getting the top two cornerbacks on their board. That has them feeling really good about not just the present but also the future of the position long-term.
Arnold and Rakestraw both know they are competing with each other for roles as rookies. They both embrace that but they also cheer each other on and it's clear they've formed a close bond right from the get-go. It's good to have friends in this league as a young player, especially with someone going through the exact same thing as you.
"We're going to grow together," Arnold said of he and Rakestraw. "We're going to excel together. Take our losses together and take them on the chin. I just thank the organization for drafting both of us. My brother right here."
