Tim Twentyman
Veteran cornerbackRock Ya-Sinproved to be one of general manager Brad Holmes' more savvy free agent signings last offseason.
Brought in for a depth role, Ya-Sin played in all 17 games and ended up making six starts as an injury fill-in. He finished with 47 tackles and a career-best nine passes defended as opposing quarterbacks completed just 52 percent (28-for-54) of the passes thrown his way with a 74.7 passer rating and just one touchdown.
Before signing with Detroit last offseason, Ya-Sin had spent the previous four seasons playing for four different teams Indianapolis (2021), Las Vegas (2022), Baltimore (2023) and San Francisco (2024). In Detroit, Ya-Sin said he's found a home and a culture he wants to continue to be a part of.
"I was ready to go usually from those four or five teams I had been on. Like when it was time to go, I was happy to go," Ya-Sin said Monday after signing a one-year contract to stay in Detroit. "But this was the first time I really wanted to come back, and I let my agent know that before the season had ended.
"I'm just glad to be back. Certain guys fit better with certain teams, and I feel like I fit better here than I fit with those previous teams."
Ya-Sin was a good fit in the locker room and the cornerback room, and his play style fit Detroit's defense. He cross-trained a little bit at safety in training camp and gives the Lions a tough, physical, reliable veteran who they know can step in and play well on the outside in their defense.
"I want to take the ball away more this season," Ya-Sin said of his expectations for the 2026 season in Detroit. "I really thought I left some on the field last year, some interceptions, some forced fumbles. I want to do a better job of that this year. I want to take the ball away.
"Last year I was proud that I stepped up when I got the opportunity. I got to do a lot of cool things last year, match up against a lot of really good receivers and do things in my career up to that point I hadn't done yet. That was really cool stepping up when guys got hurt and not taking a step back or missing a beat. I was proud of that."
Cornerback Amik Robertson signed with Washington in free agency but Detroit re-signed Ya-Sin and added free agent cornerbacksChristian Izienand Roger McCreary. With startersD.J. ReedandTerrion Arnoldset to return in 2026, along with Ennis Rakestraw Jr.,Khalil Dorseyand Nick Whiteside, the Lions have a good mix of veterans in the cornerback room.
