The Detroit Lions have reportedly agreed to terms with former Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson on a two-year contract. Let’s take a look at how Robertson fits into the Lions’ roster and scheme, as well as how his signing will affect Detroit’s summer preparations.
Roster Fit
After re-signing Emmanuel Moseley ahead of free agency, the Lions began the bargaining process with five corners scheduled to hit the open market. Their first big move was allegedly trading for Carlton Davis on Monday, followed by the addition of Robertson on Tuesday, demonstrating their commitment to rebuilding their cornerback room.
Davis and Cameron Sutton are the early favorites to be the Lions’ starters in 2024, but Moseley provides a competitor who might compete for snaps once he recovers from his most recent ACL recovery. The signing of Robertson offers another element to the starting competition—he started 12 games in 2023 and 21 total in his Raiders career—while also providing the Lions with a contributor capable of playing multiple positions.
If Robertson does not earn a starting position, he can provide the squad with a highly reliable option at CB3. He might jump into a starting role if Davis or Sutton are hurt, provides insurance for Moseley as he recovers from injury, and can operate as a true nickel corner in instances where Brian Branch would
Scheme fit
Robertson, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 183 pounds, is one of the game’s most aggressive corners. Talking trash seems to drive him to play at a higher level, and his above-average ball skills—four interceptions in the NFL and 14 in college—add to his worth. If that profile seems familiar, it’s because it closely resembles Robertson’s new defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn.
Robertson is undersized for the outside corner spot, but he has been able to stay there for many of the same reasons Glenn did. He plays bigger than he appears, tries to out-physical the player across from him, refuses to back down from larger-bodied opponents, and relies on his superior instincts.
