ESPN news: A top rising rookie rejected the Lions to sign with another NFL team.
To finish April, the Detroit Lions were recently rejected once more by an alluring undrafted rookie defense.
As the Detroit Lions continue to deal with the consequences from the 2025 NFL draft, April has finally come to a conclusion. The Lions have spent the aftermath of last week’s Lambeau Field selection of seven potential rookies signing talented undrafted free agents, including as Georgia wideout Jackson Meeks and Boston College running back Kyle Robichaux.
The Lions should be a desirable destination for any player, rookie or veteran, due to the roster’s potential and one of the league’s top coaching staffs. Unfortunately, a specific international free agent was not enticed to the Motor City by head coach Dan Campbell’s kvorka.
Global DL Following the NFL Draft, Laki Tasi chooses the Raiders over the Lions.
Aspiring athletes have a number of routes to the NFL, including the league’s International Pathway Program. Players like Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jordan Mailata have become stalwarts in North America thanks to the NFL IPP, which has been an excellent tool for helping international talent fulfill their football aspirations.
Over the weekend, the Lions summoned former rugby player Laki Tasi to their next rookie minicamp in an attempt to get in on the IPP action. The Samoan star, regrettably, turned down Detroit’s offer and chose to join with the Las Vegas Raiders at the end of April instead.
Laki Tasi, a free agency defensive end, has joined our active roster.
The Lions may be more hurt than usual by Tasi’s rejection because it’s the second time this week that a rookie has passed them. After the draft, Jakob Robinson, a former cornerback for BYU, reportedly declined a sign-on offer from Detroit to start his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers.
After rejecting the Lions, all eyes will be on Tasi to see if he can flourish in Sin City. The Brisbane-born defender clearly has an NFL physique, measuring at 6-foot-6 while weighing 347 pounds with an 81.5-inch wingspan. Following a decent stint with Ashgrove GPS of the Queensland Premier Rugby Union, he has dedicated time to honing his football talents.
It’s never easy to make an NFL roster, and for international prospects with less experience, it’s even more difficult than for college football players. Tasi probably made the correct decision by joining the Raiders, who have a far poorer defensive group than the Lions.
Even though it’s painful to be rejected, Tasi’s choice probably cost him a chance to win a title. The Lions are entering May with the fifth-best Super Bowl 60 odds (+1000) on FanDuel Sportsbook, whereas the Raiders rank 26th (+10000) on the list.
