SANTA CLARA — Five years after cornerback Rock Ya-Sin battled in one-on-one matchups with wide receiver Deebo Samuel at the Senior Bowl, they’ll be doing so again in 49ers practices.
Ya-Sin was signed Thursday to a one-year deal, the 49ers announced.
Drafted in the 2019 second round by the Indianapolis Colts, Ya-Sin moved on to play with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 and the Baltimore Ravens last year.
His experience (66 games, 40 starts) will bolster a still-young cornerback corps that is led by incumbent starters Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir, each of whom are entering their final season under contract, pending potential extensions.
Ya-Sin, 27, is listed at 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. He has two interceptions, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 29 passes defended and 193 tackles in his NFL career, which has seen him appear in just one playoff game. Ankle and knee injuries have hindered his career.
Ya-Sin was the second pick of the 2019 draft’s second round; Samuel went two spots later to the 49ers.
He is the third player signed this week, a month into free agency. On Monday, tight end Eric Saubert and running back Patrick Taylor Jr. also signed one-year deals. Saubert (6-foot-5, 248 pounds) has been more of a blocking specialist and special teams contributor in his six-team, seven-year career, which should help fill the void left by Charlie Woerner’s free agency exit to Atlanta. Taylor has been with the Packers since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2020 (34 games, 65 carries, 261 yards, one touchdown).
