The Detroit Lions continued to bolster their secondary on Thursday after signing D.J. Reed in the first week of NFL free agency. According to Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network, the Lions have agreed to terms with former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
The #Lions have agreed to terms with CB Rock Ya-sin, source says. Former second-round pick of the #Colts heads to Detroit after appearing in 13 games for the #49ers last season. pic.twitter.com/BRpOFlUx83
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 20, 2025
The 28-year-old defender will likely replace Kindle Vildor, who signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. Vildor played the last two years in Detroit as a key special teamer.
Quite the Vildor upgrade as CB5. Also brings a ton of ST experience. https://t.co/Su4N0J72EU
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) March 20, 2025
Ya-Sin spent the 2024 season with the 49ers, playing 8% of defensive and 62% of special teams snaps. Before joining the 49ers, the former Temple standout was a starter with the Indianapolis Colts and Las Vegas Raiders.
The 5-foot-11 defensive back was taken in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Colts. In three seasons with the Colts, Ya-Sin appeared in 41 games (started 29). He also produced 138 combined tackles, 20 pass deflections, and two interceptions.
After spending three years in Indy, Ya-Sin spent the 2022 season with the Raiders. In his lone season with the Raiders, he had 45 combined tackles and seven pass deflections in 11 games (nine starts). Ya-Sin also possessed a 60.9 completion percentage allowed on targets, an 82.9 pass rating allowed when targeted, and only gave one receiving touchdown.
In 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens, the former second-round pick appeared in 14 games (one start). He didn’t see much playing time on defense (29% of snaps) but saw an increase on special teams (32%).
Given the number of injuries the Lions had on defense last season, signing a guy like Ya-Sin, who has some starting experience and can play special teams is a nice luxury to have. The Lions have taken a measured approach to free agency, which they hope will pay huge dividends this upcoming season.