For much of last season, Amik Robertson operated under the radar as the Detroit Lions' primary slot corner. When Carlton Davis suffered a season-ending broken jaw in Week 15, the 2024 free agent signing moved outside and shut down Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson in the regular season finale that determined the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
The injury bug that bit the Lions' defense all season finally got to Robertson in the playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, as he suffered a broken arm just a few plays in. He had a 6-8 week recovery timetable after surgery that should be complete now as the start of the offseason program looms.
Davis departed in free agency, as became expected, and the Lions made a nice pivot to DJ Reed as his replacement. Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox have also been added to the secondary in free agency, and Ennis Rakestraw is lined up to compete for a large role in his second season.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus mentioned Rakestraw when he named Robertson as the Lions top trade candidate heading into the 2025 NFL Draft.
"Given that the Lions drafted Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second round last year, the team should figure to get him additional reps this year — potentially by trading Robertson."
With the depth concerns the Lions had last season, trading Robertson feels like a bad idea. No to mention it being unnecessary, with Ya-Sin more directly replacing the departed Kindle Vildor as a core special teamer and Maddox seemingly lined up for a versatile role beyond being a nickel/slot corner. There's still a place for Robertson in the Lions' secondary.
Amik Robertson again advanced as the Lions' top pre-draft trade candidate
Ralph Vacchiano of FOX Sports has freshly identified each team's top trade candidate as the 2025 draft gets closer. For the Lions, he tapped the Robertson well.
"After all the injuries they suffered on defense last season, the Lions might not be interested in trading away anyone from that unit. But Robertson is one of many defensive players heading into the last year of his contract, and it's clear the Lions don't see him as more than a nickel back. After left in free agency, they replaced him with D.J. Reed instead of giving Robertson the full-time role. Worse for Robertson, they then went out and signed former Eagles nickelback Avonte Maddox. In a passing league, every team is looking for a good third corner. If the Lions prefer Maddox, Robertson could end up on the block."
Robertson does have a not-insignificant looking $6.4 million cap hit for this year, which the Lions can offload a big chunk of ($4.75 million) by trading him.
If he doesn't win a primary role in the Lions' secondary during training camp, Robertson would be a prime trade candidate heading into the season--or potentially closer to the trade deadline, if circumstance put that on the table. Trading him before the draft feels like a very presumptive move, and it's patently unlikely even if a number of analysts want to suggest it.
