Detroit Lions add more secondary help, agree to 2-year deal with Raiders CB Amik Robertson

Dave Birkett
Detroit Free Press

The Detroit Lions aren't done fixing their secondary yet.

The Lions agreed to a two-year deal with Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson on Day 2 of the free agent negotiating period Tuesday. NFL Network first reported the deal, which includes a $3.3 million signing bonus and has a maximum value of $10.75 million.

Robertson is the second starting-caliber cornerback the Lions have landed since the negotiating window opened.

On Monday, they traded a third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for cornerback Carlton Davis and sixth-round choices in 2024 and 2025.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson (21) against the Los Angeles Chargers in an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, in Las Vegas, NV. Raiders defeat the Chargers 63-21. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)

Davis projects as the Lions' No. 1 cornerback this fall, while Robertson can play both inside and outside.

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Undersized at 5 feet 9, Robertson has played all 17 games each of the past two seasons with 19 starts. He replaced Nate Hobbs as the Raiders' slot cornerback early last season, then moved outside after an injury to Jakorian Bennett.

The Lions ranked 27th against the pass (247.4 ypg) and 30th in yards allowed per pass play (7.15) last season and are in the process of overhauling their cornerback room.

Cam Sutton is the only returning cornerback who played meaningful minutes in 2023, while Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Kindle Vildor and Khalil Dorsey will be free agents when the new league year opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Robertson could push for a starting role in the secondary and at minimum provides depth at both cornerback spots and on special teams. The Lions return starting slot corner Brian Branch, who has position flexibility at safety, and they re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, who played two defensive snaps last season before tearing his ACL, before the start of free agency.

Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams misses a catch against Raiders cornerback Amik Robertson during the first half at Ford Field on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.

Robertson, 25, is the second free agent addition the Lions have made this week. On Monday, they finalized a one-year deal with defensive end Marcus Davenport, who played last season for the Minnesota Vikings after starting his career with the New Orleans Saints, where he played under Lions coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

The Lions also agreed to a new three-year deal with right guard Graham Glasgow, and lost left guard Jonah Jackson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency.

Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.