Rock Ya-Sin Believes Detroit Lions CB Will Have Long NFL Career

Veteran cornerback praises young Lions player Ennis Rakestraw's potential despite injury setbacks.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 12:07pm

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Detroit Lions veteran cornerback Rock Ya-Sin expressed optimism about the future of young teammate Ennis Rakestraw, who missed the entire 2025 NFL season due to shoulder surgery. Ya-Sin believes Rakestraw has the right mindset and talent to enjoy a long, successful career in the league, stating he thinks the young CB will play "10,12,15 years" if he can just stay healthy.

Why it matters

Rakestraw was a promising young cornerback prospect for the Lions, so Ya-Sin's endorsement of his abilities and potential is an encouraging sign for the team and its fans. Overcoming injury setbacks early in one's career is a common challenge for NFL players, so Ya-Sin's mentorship and confidence in Rakestraw could help him get back on track.

The details

Ya-Sin, who re-signed with the Lions for the 2026 season, said he was excited to return to Detroit, noting it was the first time he "really wanted to come back" to a team after previous stints with other organizations. This upcoming season, the veteran would be fine with any role, whether it be at cornerback or at safety, which he played for a stretch last year. Ya-Sin also expressed a desire to force more turnovers, saying he "left some on the field last year" in terms of interceptions and forced fumbles.

  • Ya-Sin re-signed with the Lions in March 2026.
  • Rakestraw missed the entire 2025 NFL season due to shoulder surgery.

The players

Rock Ya-Sin

A 29-year-old veteran cornerback who re-signed with the Detroit Lions for the 2026 season.

Ennis Rakestraw

A young cornerback for the Detroit Lions who missed the entire 2025 season due to a shoulder injury.

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What they’re saying

“Me and Ennis, it's pretty cool man. Ennis is a really talented young player. I like that guy. He has the right mindset and mentality.”

— Rock Ya-Sin, Veteran Cornerback (si.com)

“I think Ennis is going to be a great player in this league for a long time. I think he's going to play until he doesn't wanna play anymore, 10,12,15 years. Whatever it is. I think he has a really bright future.”

— Rock Ya-Sin, Veteran Cornerback (si.com)

“Once he gets healthy, the sky's the limit for that guy. So, I'm excited to see him do things this year and then the rest of his career as well.”

— Rock Ya-Sin, Veteran Cornerback (si.com)

What’s next

Rakestraw will look to return to the field healthy and make an impact for the Lions in the 2026 NFL season.

The takeaway

Ya-Sin's endorsement of Rakestraw's potential despite his early career injury setbacks highlights the importance of veteran leadership and mentorship in helping young players overcome adversity and reach their full potential in the NFL.