The Baltimore Ravens have addressed their need for a cornerback by signing Rock Ya-Sin. The one-year deal is worth up to $6 million and should make Ya-Sin the favorite to start alongside Super Bowl champion Marlon Humphrey.
Ya-Sin, 27, spent three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts before being traded to the Las Vegas Raiders last offseason. With the Raiders, he missed time due to knee injuries in October and December. However, he still managed to appear in 11 games, including nine starts, and record seven passes defensed and 45 tackles.
With the Ravens lacking depth at the cornerback position, Ya-Sin should provide a significant boost to the team. Last season, the Ravens allowed just shy of 4,000 yards passing, ranking seventh-worst in the league, and 6.7 yards per pass, ranking 13th-worst.
Ya-Sin’s signing was made possible due to the Ravens’ decision to select Zay Flowers instead of a cornerback in the first round of the draft. Since they did not re-sign Marcus Peters in free agency, they were in dire need of a starting cornerback opposite Humphrey.
Since March, Ya-Sin had been in contact with the Ravens, who had him visit the team during free agency. Waiting to sign him until after May 1 allowed the Ravens to receive a fourth-round compensatory pick in 2024 for losing guard Ben Powers.
Ya-Sin has started 38 of 52 career games since entering the league in 2019 and has recorded two interceptions, 27 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 183 tackles, and two tackles for a loss. He has at least five passes defensed in all his seasons in the NFL, but he has just two career interceptions and has not registered more than 45 career tackles since his rookie year.
In conclusion, the addition of Ya-Sin should help the Ravens improve their defense and increase their chances of returning to the playoffs after a disappointing 2021 season. With Ya-Sin and Humphrey leading the way, the Ravens will have one of the best cornerback duos in the league.
