Lions Get Rejected by Potential Rookie Signing After Draft

The Detroit Lions headed to Green Bay, WI, last week with the hope of stockpiling for the future. Fortunately, the Lions ended up having a strong 2025 NFL draft performance, leaving Lambeau Field with a promising crop of rookies that's headlined by names like Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and Arkansas wideout Isaac TeSlaa.

Although the draft did help the Lions add some solid rookie players, the end of the draft didn't stop them from adding more talent. Detroit has since signed a handful of undrafted rookies to NFL contracts, whether it's because they're talented enough to contribute one day or were only brought in to be warm training camp bodies.

Super Bowl contenders like the Lions often have an easy time luring unsigned talent. Having said that, the allure of playing in the Motor City wasn't good enough to lure at least one UDFA to town.

Lions Rejected by UDFA CB Jakob Robinson, Signs With 49ers

BYU cornerback Jakob Robinson was one undrafted player who garnered plenty of attention following the three-day event. Robinson ultimately decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, and it turns out the deal threw a wrench in Detroit general manager Brad Holmes' plans.

"Robinson turned down offers from the Dolphins, Lions, and Ravens to join San Francisco, per source," 49ers insider Sterling Bennett reported on Sunday morning.

The Lions' interest in Robinson isn't shocking after veteran cornerbacks Carlton Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Emmanuel Moseley, and Kindle Vildor became free agents this offseason. Even though the likes of D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Rock Ya-Sin have since been brought in, too much CB depth usually isn't a bad thing.

At the same time, Robinson rejecting the Lions also isn't that surprising. The additions of Reed, Maddox, and Ya-Sin essentially filled out Detroit's top cornerback jobs, meaning the former BYU ballhawk likely would've been stuck on the practice squad had he accepted GM Holmes' offer.

Time will tell if Robinson can stand out in a relatively weak 49ers CB room. He was a solid disruptor throughout his time with the Cougars, racking up 21 defended passes, 11 interceptions (including a Pick-6), and 131 solo tackles, which includes earning second-team All-Big 12 honors for his 2024 performance.

While Robinson would've looked nice in a Detroit jersey, missing out on a UDFA isn't the end of the world. The Lions are fortunate to have one of the NFL's better defensive units (76.8, 5th on Pro Football Focus in 2024), which is a status that should remain as long as everyone does their part next season.

In the meantime, the Lions will head into May with the fifth-best Super Bowl 60 odds (+950) on FanDuel Sportsbook.

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