The Detroit Lions will have to make some major decisions before the 2025-26 season officially starts in September, and unfortunately, that means letting some players go. While saying farewell to longtime players hurts, it’s also not fun to part with even the newest players who had hopes of being an integral part of the team.
The Lions are one of the most promising teams in the NFL right now and considered true contenders, so any NFL player would be happy to sign with the team. But, one brand new signee might be cut before he even get the chance to play one game with the Lions.
The Detroit Lions are putting the finishing touches on their lineup for the new season, and that means having to cut players, including one player who’s being signaled out.
Back in March of this year, the Lions signed Rock Ya-Sin in a move to add depth at cornerback, which is certainly a position of importance to Detroit. He played in 13 games for the San Francisco 49ers last year and was mainly on special teams. Ya-Sin was also a 2019 second-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts.
In a Saturday, June 28, feature for Detroit Jock City, Chris Schad makes the case that the “upside hasn’t presented itself since he made the jump to the NFL.” Schad adds that the cornerback “spent three seasons with the Colts and was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and has spent the rest of his career bouncing around to the Baltimore Ravens and then the 49ers last season.” Schad also notes that the Detroit Lions’ depth chart has Ya-Sin at the bottom of the pack.
Earlier this month, SI’s Christian Booher released his 53-man roster ahead of training camp and named Terrion Arnold, Reed, Ennis Rakestraw, Robertson and Khalil Dorsey as the five corners on the squad. So, it’s not looking good for this new Lions player.
“There’s a chance Ya-Sin could change the narrative with a strong camp,” Schad stated in the piece. “But he may not get the opportunity with so many corners ahead of him. It could leave Ya-Sin looking for a new job and another chapter in a disappointing career.”
Lions Rule in Linebacker Position
When it comes to linebackers, the Lions have the No. 2 best in the league, according to PFF. In a June 25 feature, Dalton Wasserman states that Detroit’s linebacker unit with Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez only falls short to the Philadelphia Eagles‘ linebackers.
“Former 18th-overall pick Jack Campbell has begun to emerge as one of the NFL’s best linebackers,” he states in the piece. “His 78.7 PFF overall grade in 2024 ranked 10th, and he was one of just five qualifiers who earned at least a 74.0 PFF grade in run defense and coverage.”
He adds that Anzalone was out for some games during the 2024 season due to injury but ranked right behind Campbell with a solid 72.1 PFF coverage grade. He adds that “When healthy, this is one of the best linebacker trios in the NFL.”
