By Sunday 
It’s one of the less glamorous realities of NFL roster building: not every offseason signing ends up being a win. And for the Detroit Lions, their spring addition of cornerback Rock Ya-Sin is already looking shaky — before training camp has even begun.
A Name With Promise, But Little Production
When the Lions inked Ya-Sin to a deal in March, it wasn’t meant to be a blockbuster move. But it was a calculated bet. The former second-round pick of the Colts had bounced around the league since 2019, showing occasional flashes but never fully delivering on the potential that made him a Day 2 draft selection. His resume includes stops in Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Baltimore, and most recently, San Francisco — where he was mostly relegated to special teams duty.
The Lions saw an opportunity: add experienced depth to a secondary that had been bruised by injuries, and maybe — just maybe — find a reclamation project worth keeping around.
Unfortunately, that project is already wobbling.
Fighting for Air on a Crowded Depth Chart
According to Christian Booher of Sports Illustrated, Ya-Sin is sitting last on the cornerback depth chart heading into training camp. That’s a tough spot to be in for anyone, let alone a journeyman trying to revive his career.
With a healthy and talented group that now includes first-round rookie Terrion Arnold, free-agent signee DJ Reed, second-year standout Khalil Dorsey, and a recovering Amik Robertson, it’s clear Ya-Sin is firmly on the outside looking in.
Even Stantley Thomas-Oliver, a lesser-known name, is reportedly ahead of Ya-Sin in the battle for one of the final corner spots. That’s not ideal for a guy who was supposed to bring veteran stability to the secondary.
Time’s Ticking in Allen Park
The window for Ya-Sin to prove himself is closing fast. If he doesn’t flash in a big way early in training camp, it’s hard to envision a path that keeps him in Detroit. The Lions have too much invested in younger talent, and too much momentum to spare snaps for someone not living up to expectations.
To be fair, Ya-Sin could still flip the narrative with a standout summer. Stranger things have happened. But as it stands now, this free-agent flyer looks more like a miss than a hidden gem.
And in the NFL, especially for a team with real Super Bowl ambitions like the 2025 Lions, that kind of miss doesn’t get many second chances.