The Detroit Lions don't miss many of their departures from this offseason.
Running back David Montgomery has been a nonfactor for the Houston Texans, and the Lions got back a center in that trade in Juice Scruggs who is playing at an elite level. The offensive line as a whole has been fantastic, leaving tackle Taylor Decker still sitting at home. The pass rush has been better without now-Tampa Bay Buccaneer EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, while fellow Buccaneer Alex Anzalone is arguably the worst linebacker in the league right now.
But, man, would it be nice to have cornerback Amik Robertson right about now.
Should the Lions rectify this and pursue a reunion at the trade deadline? Daniel Popper of The Athletic thinks so after releasing his "2026 Trade Deadline Big Board." Popper ranks trade deadlines candidates factoring in ability, contract, team records, while also including some more ambitious and unlikely trade options. On this list, Robertson ranked 18th of 50, and the top CB.
"Robertson signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Commanders in free agency. He has been one of the few bright spots from Peters’ offseason. Robertson does not have any fully guaranteed money on his deal in 2027. The Commanders would take on $3 million in dead money in 2027 if they trade him before the deadline. Robertson is a capable man coverage corner who could help a number of teams in the secondary. He can play inside and outside."Daniel Popper
Popper lists the Lions has one of his "best fits" for Robertson, along with the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Robertson can bring experience and passion to the CB room
The Lions let Robertson walk this offseason, mostly in an effort to save money for other moves. Their slot/nickel CB replacement for Robertson, Roger McCreary, signed with the Lions on a one-year, $1,402,00 deal. Meanwhile, Robertson signed with the Washington Commanders for two years, $16 million.
Robertson has been a bright spot and a fan favorite for a Commanders' defense that, as of now, has allowed the third most points in the NFL. Bye weeks, such as the Lions', do play into that, but it's been dire straits for the Commanders and defensive-minded head coach Dan Quinn, nonetheless.
He made his presence in D.C. quickly known with a statement sack fumble against quarterback Joshua Dobbs and the Lions in the teams' preseason matchup, where the fumble was picked up for a scoop-and-score.
Robertson has carried that energy into the regular season with another forced fumble to go along with eight pass deflections, which would lead the Lions. Only McCreary has more than three PD for the Lions, and six of his seven came in the win against the Arizona Cardinals. The rest of the Lions' defense has combined for 17 PDs. Robertson's 40 tackles would be second on the Lions, behind LB Jack Campbell (43), and would lead the team in solo tackles (28).
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If Pro Football Focus is your thing, you'll be pleased to know that Robertson has a 69.8 grade, which is 20th among all qualified CBs. PFF has Robertson down for a 86.8 run defense grade, good for sixth best among CBs, and a 92.9 passer rating surrendered to opposing QBs. McCreary is sitting at a 53.8 grade, 77th among CBs, while allowing a 111.6 passer rating.
Robertson isn't an all-encompassing fix. Ideally, the Lions would pursue trades for a strong primarily outside CB, allowing D.J. Reed to slide to CB2. Robertson is not that unless you're Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson. But as the Lions move around McCreary and other defenders to try to find something that works, going back to an old reliable in Robertson would be a good, inexpensive, option.
He has familiarly with Kelvin Sheppard's man defense, which makes him easy to slot back in, and above all else he can actually defend. And the Lions need a lot more players who can do that in the secondary.
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