Colts draft Rock Ya-Sin with their 1st selection of 2019 draft

The Indianapolis Colts selected cornerback Rock Ya-Sin out of Temple with the 34th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.

A decorated high school wrestler, Ya-Sin began his college football career in the FCS at Presbyterian before transferring to Temple for his senior campaign. He flourished with the Owls, recording 47 tackles, 14 pass breakups, and two interceptions in 12 games.

Ya-Sin will bolster a Colts secondary that started Kenny Moore and Pierre Desir at cornerback last year. Indianapolis also used a second-round selection on Quincy Wilson in 2017, though the former Florida star has struggled to find consistency at the NFL level.

Prospect profile

School: Temple
Height: 6-0
Weight: 192 lbs

Strengths

• Plays with an extremely high degree of physicality
• Drives receivers to the boundary to limit throwing lanes
• Rarely gave up big plays in coverage
• Good tackler after the catch and in run defense
• Very tough to beat when his hands connect in a press
• Sticky coverage skills, especially in the red zone

Weaknesses

• Takes a few too many holding/pass interference penalties
• Average athlete with below average change-of-direction skills
• Wide base with sloppy feet and sub-par transitions
• Lacking ball skills, especially when trailing his receiver
• Just three career interceptions

Bottom line

Great name and all, Rock Ya-Sin has a number of fans in the draft community, and for good reason. He offers a physical brand of football and can thrive in man coverage with good coaching. However, the first-team All-AAC defender must improve his overall movement skills and grab less downfield to become a high-level starter in the pros.