The Detroit Lions may have loaded up their secondary in the NFL Draft, but they just missed out on one more intriguing piece. Former BYU cornerback Jakob Robinson, one of the more sought-after undrafted free agents, chose not to sign with Detroit—opting instead to join the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports, the Lions did make an offer to Robinson, but the crowded room at cornerback in Detroit likely made the 49ers the more appealing choice. With names like D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, and Khalil Dorsey already competing for spots, the path to the roster in Detroit wasn’t exactly wide open.
San Francisco, on the other hand, is reshaping its secondary and seems to offer more opportunity. With Charvarius Ward, Isaac Yiadom, and Rock Ya-Sin all moving on, Robinson has a legitimate shot to carve out a role there.
Robinson did his part to raise eyebrows during the pre-draft process. He added 13 pounds after the season, then ran an impressive 4.39 40-yard dash at the Big 12 Pro Day. He followed that up with a strong showing in field drills, proving he can move just as well at his added weight.
Even though he didn’t hear his name called during the draft, Robinson had plenty of interest—and clearly, options. If he performs well in San Francisco, the Lions might end up regretting missing out.
Meanwhile, Detroit did bolster the back end of its defense with the addition of Georgia safety Dan Jackson in the seventh round. GM Brad Holmes praised Jackson’s football IQ and sneaky athleticism, highlighting the team’s continued effort to add depth and intelligence to the secondary.
Lions Miss Out as Rookie CB Jakob Robinson Signs With NFC Rival
