Details have emerged about the Detroit Lions being rejected by an undrafted rookie cornerback following the 2025 NFL draft.

The Detroit Lions traveled to Green Bay last week aiming to build for the future, and they came away from the 2025 NFL Draft with a solid group of rookies. Among their top picks were Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams and Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa.

While the draft itself brought in notable talent, Detroit continued to add to its roster afterward by signing several undrafted free agents (UDFAs). Some of these signings are seen as potential contributors, while others may serve as depth during training camp.

As a Super Bowl contender, Detroit is often an attractive destination for unsigned prospects. However, not every target was convinced. One such case was BYU cornerback Jakob Robinson, who opted to sign with the San Francisco 49ers despite receiving offers from the Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens.

According to 49ers insider Sterling Bennett, Robinson’s decision was a setback for Lions general manager Brad Holmes, who had hoped to bring the talented defensive back to Detroit.

The Lions showing interest in Robinson isn’t all that surprising, considering veteran cornerbacks like Carlton Davis, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Emmanuel Moseley, and Kindle Vildor all hit free agency this offseason. Even though Detroit has since signed D.J. Reed, Avonte Maddox, and Rock Ya-Sin, having an abundance of cornerbacks is rarely a bad strategy.

On the other hand, Robinson turning down the Lions’ offer also makes sense. With the new additions likely locking down the main CB roles, the former BYU standout probably saw himself relegated to the practice squad if he had joined the team.

Now with the 49ers, Robinson has a shot to shine in a relatively thin cornerback group. He was consistently disruptive at BYU, tallying 21 pass breakups, 11 interceptions (including a pick-six), and 131 solo tackles, and was named to the All-Big 12 second team in 2024.

While it would’ve been nice to see Robinson in Detroit, missing out on an undrafted free agent isn’t a major setback. The Lions already boast one of the league’s top defenses—ranked fifth by Pro Football Focus in 2024 with a score of 76.8—which should stay strong as long as the unit plays up to its potential.

As May approaches, the Lions remain a serious contender, holding the fifth-best odds (+950) to win Super Bowl 60, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.