Detroit Lions: 7-Round 2019 mock draft, post-Combine
Round 2: Rock Ya-Sin, CB, Temple
The Lions need to find a starting-caliber cornerback to play opposite Pro-Bowler Darius Slay. After playing at FCS Presbyterian College, Rock Ya-Sin, a 6-0, 192-pound defensive back, transferred to Temple as a graduate student for the 2018 season and immediately showed he had the talent to excel at the FBS level.
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Ya-Sin was a first-team All-AAC selection as a senior, leading the Owls with 12 pass breakups to go along with 47 tackles, two for loss and two interceptions in 2018.
The Lions may grab a corner in free agency, as rookie defensive backs tend to struggle, but if that doesn’t happen, Ya-Sin is a talented, athletic and strong addition to a defensive backfield that needs an influx of all those traits.
Round 3: Kaden Smith, TE, Stanford
The Cardinal continue to serve as “Tight End U” with Kaden Smith’s selection, who becomes the sixth such player from his school to be selected in the first four rounds since 2012. A physical specimen for the position, Smith checks in at 6-5 and 255 pounds with good athleticism. Last season, he caught 47 balls for 635 yards and two scores in 10 starts.
The 4.92-secon 40-yard dash time causes an eyebrow to be raised, but it looks to have little effect on film, where he can be seen shooting out of breaks to create throwing windows. He won’t outrun most defensive backs or linebackers in a straight-line race, but knows how to use the tools he has in a productive way.
He lacks a bit as a route runner right now, but his elite physical traits and overall talent can help him adjust to the NFL while that comes around.