While the Indianapolis Colts didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft after trading out on the first night, they did use their first pick of their draft crop on cornerback Rock Ya-Sin.
Becoming a starter in the secondary after just a few weeks into the season, Ya-Sin had an up and down rookie campaign. It was more good than bad as to be expected, and the Colts are encouraged with the development he showed during the second half.
“He had some really good moments, and he had some ugly moments. Let me tell you what I love about this kid, he’s exactly what we thought he was going to be in terms of grit, toughness,” said GM Chris Ballard at his year-end presser. “Holy crap you line up 16 games and you’re asked to play some great players. All he does is work.”
As a rookie, Ya-Sin led all defensive players in snaps for the Colts during the 2019 season. Because of injuries to the position, the Temple product got his chance to shine early and took advantage of becoming a weekly starter.
The No. 34 overall pick from the draft finished the season with one interception and five passes defended. There is certainly room for improvement, but there were more bright spots than disappointments in his first campaign.
“I thought the Jacksonville game, he gives up the deep shot where he got stacked, shouldn’t have got stacked. Saying that, I thought the last part of the season he played pretty well,” Ballard said. “He was getting better and ascending. It’ll be a big offseason for him. We’re happy for Rock.”
Often with rookies, the most you want to see is development. An increase in positive plays as the season goes on. Ya-Sin showed that during his rookie season and will enter a big offseason where he is likely to be considered a starter atop the cornerback depth chart.