Lions signing ex-Raiders starting CB Amik Robertson to multi-year deal

ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions continued to remodel their defensive backfield on the second day of free agency, coming to terms with cornerback Amik Robertson on a two-year, $9.25 million deal according to NFL Network.

A 2020 fourth-round pick out of Louisiana Tech, Robertson was a little-used backup in Las Vegas who broke into the lineup the last two seasons. At 5-foot-9 and 183 pounds, he has experience in both the slot as well as on the perimeter. He started 19 games the last two years — mostly on the outside — and allowed an 85.7 passer rating on balls thrown his way this past season. He was the No. 65 cornerback in the league according to Pro Football Focus.

Of particular note for Detroit: Robertson was known for a tough, physical brand of cornerbacking. He was also a ballhawk in Las Vegas, intercepting four passes and defending 15 the last two years.

“He’s probably one of the more physical DBs,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said last season, according to The Athletic. “You always see him punch the ball, coming through making tackles. I don’t want to call it the little man complex, but he walks around like he’s 6-2, 220 sometimes, and he’s fearless. He’s a smart football player. He has confidence, and I’m glad he’s finally having success on the field.”

Robertson is the second starting-level cornerback to join the organization this week, following the trade for Carlton Davis on Monday. Both players are expected to compete for starting jobs on the outside in the fall, along with Cam Sutton, who was the centerpiece of last year’s attempt to reboot the secondary. But Sutton struggled to handle the CB1 role and was abused down the stretch, while Emmanuel Moseley — the other projected starter on the outside — played only two snaps while dealing with another ACL injury.

Detroit was forced to play a lot of Jerry Jacobs and Kindle Vildor, while Sutton was walloped by WR1s on the other side of the field, and the pass defense finished 27th despite getting significant offseason investment last year.

Now with Sutton, Davis, Robertson and Moseley all under contract — plus all-rookie Brian Branch returning in the slot — Detroit has clearly improved its cornerback depth heading into next season. But don’t underestimate the possibility that Brad Holmes still uses an early draft pick at the position. Davis is on the final year of the deal he signed in Tampa, Moseley’s contract also expires at the end of this season, while Sutton and Robertson’s deals will expire after the following season. That offers plenty of flexibility for the long-term future of the position.