The Detroit Lions had plenty of issues in the secondary last year, but one of the bright spots was cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. A former second-round pick, Ya-Sin’s career was on its last legs when he came to Detroit last year, but his versatility proved to be a blessing as D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Kerby Joseph, and Brian Branch all wound up on the injured list.
After a successful year, Ya-Sin is in a position to get a little more than the one-year, $1.17 million contract he signed last spring. But even as the Lions are monitoring their cap situation, Ya-Sin should return to the team amid the team’s uncertainty at the cornerback position.
Rock Ya-Sin Has Played His Way to a Lions Return in 2026
The Lions' cornerback room is one of the most volatile heading into next season. Reed was supposed to fix the problem after signing a three-year, $48 million contract to replace Carlton Davis. A hamstring injury in a Week 4 win over the Cleveland Browns lingered through the rest of the season, although he allowed 35 catches on 480 yards with a touchdown, two interceptions, and three pass breakups on 57 targets, per Pro Football Focus.
Arnold should also be back from his shoulder injury that wiped out the second half of the year. But he never took the second-year leap many expected, allowing 23 catches for 331 yards and two touchdowns with an interception, four pass breakups, and six penalties (three declined) on 41 targets.
Reed and Arnold are likely to start barring a big move to bring someone in, but the situation gets dire the further down the depth chart.
Amik Robertson is a free agent and could depart as the nickel corner. Avonte Maddox is also a free agent and can play corner, even if he spent most of his time at safety last year. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. hasn’t been able to stay healthy over his first two seasons, and Khalil Dorsey and Nick Whiteside are unlikely to make the Lions comfortable enough to put them into games.
That leads everything back to Ya-Sin.
The 29-year-old CB wasn’t perfect, committing eight penalties and allowing 26 catches for 276 yards and a touchdown with five pass breakups on 49 targets. But the Lions will need some cheap insurance in case injuries sweep the defense for a third straight year. His added versatility to play safety could also come in handy, with Joseph and Branch having uncertain futures, and he likely won’t cost much even if he’s due for a raise.
In an offseason where general manager Brad Holmes has plenty to do, Ya-Sin probably isn’t at the top of his list of priorities. But Ya-Sin’s play and the Lions' situation at cornerback have helped him cut the line and could lead him back to Detroit this offseason.