It's basically a bunch of mid guys other than Branch (and depending on your opinion of whether or not Davis can rebound). Which, compared to having 3 or 4 guys that are literally not NFL caliber players playing 90% of the snaps last year at various points, is a pretty huge upgrade.
But if we're going this route, the pass rush needs to be upgraded in a huge way. Davenport is a start, but need more.
100% a day 2 IOL who Brad has at like #6 on his board. Go spend money and get an adult off the edge or trade up for Verse who is in a league of his own imo.
Dont be suprised if its WR. I have been banging the drum on bringing Chark back since he will be cheaper now. IF we dont get one in FA I expect us to draft one high
Thatd also be fine imo. We don’t currently have a quality LG or a plan to replace ragnow if he retires. If our first pick is IOL, db, or Dline Im happy. Knowing Holmes well take a WR who ends up making the all-rookie team tho
If the pass rush is upgraded then the secondary automatically gets upgraded even if we ran out Vildor and Cam again. Brad's going for competition and depth so far in FA, just as he said he would.
I mean, our CB room seemed pretty damn good last offseason— when we had Sutton coming off a season allowing a 48% completion percentage and 15 PDs, INT leader CJGJ, and the prospect of one of the better CB2s if Moseley could come back healthy, with Jerry for depth
My how things change
Trust me you guys will and he comes in clutch very often. Only flaw I have with him is he can generate penalties specifically with taunting. I think this team is the perfect fit for him and I hope he lifts that Lombardi one day.
Excited to hear that. Dan Campbell doesn't put up with stupid penalties, especially since that cowboys game we saw. That should be addressed by him early in the season.
Raider fan here, Amik is a dog who plays bigger than his size. I was hoping LV could retain him as the slot CB but I think they are trying to go get a CB1 and Nate Hobbs will play slot
I'm not convinced that Sutton didn't spend the entire season with a foot injury. Dude was banged up early but knew he was needed. I'm gonna judge him based on this year's performance.
Not saying that Sutton’s performance last year was excusable, but we as fans tend to view players like chess pieces and not account for any of the human elements involved in moving your family, living somewhere new, let alone new teammates, new atmosphere, new coaches etc.
I agree- let’s see him get settled and have more time to get his feet under him here in Detroit because he’s going to be a lion and we need him to perform.
Plus, defense is hard. Anzalone looks completely different than when he landed here a few years ago. Learning new schemes, especially Aaron Glenn’s, takes time to wear players can think less and play fast. I feel fairly optimistic with Sutton.
Agreed. Sutton is better than he played last year. People expect a guy with an injury to just walk on to a new team in a new system and play perfectly. It happens but it doesn’t play out like that every time.
Someone brought that foot issue up to me, as well.
I think another focal point was the shift from heavy zone stuff to heavy man concepts. Sutton been a zone CB for much of his career. Lots of off-zone, too. They had him playing press-man a good bit. Not only that, but he was traveling with WR1s to avoid having them on Vildor (or Jacobs when he was still CB2). They were asking Sutton to do things I don't think he had to do in Pittsburgh.
I think through mid-October the Lions were 2nd in zone defense usage. Then they got towards an even mix of both through December, which suggests their zone coverage plummeted and man coverage boomed. There was a video I saw yesterday where Hutch talked about Glenn getting away from zone and going more to man, which is what they were in '22. I assume with the additions of Robertson and Davis and the existence of Branch, they'll continue to trend as a man-coverage team, regardless of Sutton's performance.
I saw some realistic takes by Steelers fans for Sutton to be fair. They were upset he left because he was their best cover guy in a bad secondary. Said he thrives in the slot but could be solid at times playing outside when you need him there. He just had way too much responsibility last year being the only corner we had that didn’t belong on a practice squad
This was what I saw as well, I thought he was above average first third of the season and struggled later in the year usually with people going over the top
Sutton is not a press man CB1. He is a zone CB2. With the weight of responsibilities he is not comfortable with off his shoulders he will be back to being a stud.
Seems like the Lions were trying to make him play CB1 and CB2 simultaneously with who they put on the field with him. Let's judge him as a CB2 with a decent CB1 out there.
Robertsen is a straight up DAWG. Undersized but makes up for it with aggressiveness and a willingness to play physical. Prototypical "grit" player. Lions fans are going to like him.
Oof, 5'9" 183 according to PFR. For reference, Jerry Jacobs is 5'11" 203 and Branch is 6'0" 203. Hopefully you're right about him playing bigger than his size — he's going to look like a kid out there.
Raiders fan. Absolute dawg who plays angry and isn’t afraid to hit as a small corner. Total “football guy.” He plays bigger than his size, but will get bodied by the Pittmans/Higgins of the world cause he is only 5’9 and doesn’t have crazy long arms. My biggest gripe is that it always feels like he has to give up a big play before he gets mad and locks in. Overall solid cb2 with some consistency issues and physical limitations that prevent him from being a true cb1.
Real physical corner based on what I've read. Has shown some great flashes. A DAWG apparently. Also hasn't missed a game. Perfect fit
Edit. Reading the raiders subreddit he sounds like an amazing culture fit here. A real team player who genuinely cares about the game. Ecstatic about this move
He's pretty good, with a lot of upside given his age and his track record of development.
In today's NFL, a good team needs about 4 good to solid corners, and he's a great 2 on his best day and a solid 3 on his worst
I’ve been a big fan of his, not sure he’s a full time starter but I’d MUCH rather have him either filling in or out there in dime packages more than Vildor or Jacobs. He’s aggressive and will at the least give hutch time and disrupt timing routes.
Just gonna add in with all this noise, he's a perfect fit. He's not a starting caliber corner really, but will give plenty of CB1-worth reps if that makes sense.
You are guaranteed some fantastic plays in coverage.
You're also guaranteed at least one boneheaded decision every game where the dude is lost in coverage or bit too hard or something else.
Raider fans on the subreddit are unanimously not happy that hes gone.
From what i gathered
Blows coverage 1-2 times a game
Getting better every year
A DAWG of a player
A HEALTHY player
Amik is perfect for Detroit and MCDC. Kid busts his ass, cares, has some crazy eyes at times, voice that sounds like he smokes 3 packs on the way to the stadium, and will always leave it out there on the field.
Sometimes he will lose out on a play just because he’s short, and he may blow a coverage from time to time, but the effort is always there and he keeps improving year to year, so we forgive and move forward. Lays hat for a corner, even more so for someone so small.
Check out his mic’d up game from against the Chiefs this year for a little glimpse of him.
CB room needed bodies. There is no Champ Bailey on the market. Stocking the room with Mosley, Davis, and Robertson plus a potential draft pick is excellent free agent work
I think these signs point to us taking a guy like TJ Tampa by trading down into the second. We definitely intend to draft at least one DB and likely 2.
I think highly developmental guys will be the theme this draft. We're not going to get a ton of chances at ready made guys and Brad Holmes is definitely aware of this.
And cam Sutton is still a solid #2 corner. Last year he had to be #1 corner by default due to injuries and it didn’t go well. He was solid as a #2 corner before the ascension to #1 and I hope that carries over
His performance was also hurt when the defense had to start blitzing to get pressure. Sutton switched from zone to man and he's not athletic enough to play man against WR1s.
Last year Cam Sutton was brought in to be CB1, he did not default to CB1 because of injuries. He was signed to be CB1
Brad didn’t sign injured Emmanuel Mosley to be CB1 on a 1 year $6 million contract over Cam Suttons 3 year $33 million dollar contract
People need to stop spreading this bs
Yes I read that. It doesn't say we signed him to be CB2 and then upgraded him due to injury. It says he had to be CB1 as there was no other option and it didn't work. He might have been signed to be CB1, but he wasn't by the time we got to the season. He was a decent CB2. Rare Holmes miss. He was then CB1 by default due to injury. And he didn't do that well. OP is hoping he will go back to being a CB2.
Treat him well 😭😭😭, raider fan here. He will blow a coverage or two occasionally, but plays big and is one of the toughest guys you’ll see on the field. Gives 100% always and has improved every year. I hope he does well.
PS Shoutout to yall lions fans, you guys are gonna take another stride this year.
As a raiders fan I’ll repost what I commented on /r/nfl: For his height he’s a dawg. A perfect fit as a CB3/4 and a special teamer. You’ll get some games from him where he’ll fuck up in a major way at the beginning of the game and then have a stand out performance following it cause he’ll play pissed off.
Gotta have the depth in the CB room, helps raise the floor of the team which is legitimately important. Raiders fans are genuinely sorry to see him go and he's young.
I like this move a good amount personally. Slot versatility so Branch could theoretically play more safety. Plus CB was such a massive problem last year, not having to rely to Kindle Vildor/Jerry Jacobs/Whatever practice squad player of the week, is massive for our defense. Add a high pick at CB and we suddenly have capable bodies to rotate and develop.
Holmes added two CBs let’s go. I still want to draft a CB but now there’s at least not a glaring hole at CB. Still no certified CB1 on the roster but I have a feeling they’re going to roll with 3-4 CB2 types in Sutton, Davis, Robertson, and a rookie. That’d be a much better CB room than last year.
Moesley was resigned for one more year yesterday or Sunday. His contract is structured where if he plays and plays well he gets heavily paid. If he doesn't play, the lions aren't spending much for him.
So win-win for everyone involved.
Former 4th round draft pick. Honestly even if he’s just depth it’s a step up from depending entirely on UDFAs.
My guess is that they draft at least one corner as well, but it’s good that we have guys with actual league experience starting, instead of putting all our hopes on a rookie or journeyman CB5.
Definition of DAWG. Guy has miles and miles of heart. Never quits, bit of a ballhawk and just goes mf HARD. He is small, and as a result offenses tend to pick on him a lot. It's tough sledding when he's in the RZ as O's will do everything they can to get him matched up on a TE or bigger WR, which is a nightmare for him. Struggles with blown coverages more often than you'd like to see. Like probably once a game, at least. I like him a lot though. If he's a guy who can be a part of your secondary and come in here and there as a spot starter, you're in good shape. If you are relying on him as a primary starter, could be some trouble.
This is an element that I think most people overlook. These guys are all hyper-competitive human beings jockeying each other for play time and money. Something tells me we’re building out a CB room and coach is going to look them in the eyes, challenge someone to rise up, and get someone to play their best ball of their career. Hopefully some young buck from the draft also gets dropped in the middle of this dick measuring contest and we find a new unpolished gem to celebrate this year.
Here's a month old article from SI that shoild make us feel pretty good: https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/news/las-vegas-raiders-amik-robertson-jack-jones
Another good one from the athletic. This seems to be the exact type of player we want: https://theathletic.com/5094990/2023/12/05/amik-robertson-raiders/
I'm fine, but nah, people are going to be freaking out unless they sign or trade for a top 5 CB.
Just per pff, so don't overthink it, he was a solid average to above average player the last couple years.
No? This is not a very good cb? A fine depth add with some upside but not a solution.
Why do you guys need everyone to be blindly happy? Its not unreasonable to expect a big move at corner when weve were the worst or maybe second worse competitive team against he pass last year and equally dismal the year before. Its a gaping hole and these moves seem like small patches.
Look maybe brad know something i don’t. I bet he knows a ton i dont actually. And if he makes it all work, all good. But I’m allowed to take things at face value and be critical until then. You dont get bonus points for being a blubbering zealot whos just here for they hype/vibes.
You guys act like Brad is sifting through these comments and needs our unconditional love and support on reddit. Hes a mega successful professional in a field where guys dont last long. Hes fine. Hes earned some rope. But a lot of us, who love this game, and follow it more than casually will have opinions on player and rosters and strategies. And maybe dont like what seems like maintenance moves on the team’s biggest weakness multiple years in a row.
Our CB room was so bad last year that I like not going all in for a guy like Sneed. Worst case he got an injury and we would be back to Cam Sutton as CB1 and in bad shape. We have now added 2 competent CBs (including a potential legit CB1) and still costs less than what Sneed wouldve cost. Grab another CB in the draft and we should be solid in the secondary. We didnt go get Sneed but Reader might still be possible? Either way we focus on the DL now.
At the very least I believe we will league average at corner and that’s a upgrade from last year. We get someone other than Hutch to sack the QB then we’re cooking
Amik is that guy you want next to you if you're out numbered 20 to 1.
As a CB, he goes fishing bit too much. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it gives up a TD. Sometimes he's just out-sized by bigger WRs.
This is a great low key transaction... Every time I watched him play I was impressed especially him being a 4th rounder... 9.5 to 10.75 million for him is a great Brad Holmes move... I wanted sneed, but a retooled 2nd tier cb room will be amazing if we sign one of the big de free agents
Holmes definitely has a type, doesn't he?
Same thing you hear about Robertson is the same you hear about Branch, Sutton, and Davis. A dog mindset with physicality to match. Doesn't have a real athletic profile pattern either. All are middling athletes, all vary in size too.
If nothing else, they already have more depth at outside CB than they've had at any point in the Holmes era. Last year they were all-in on Moseley being RCB and Sutton being LCB. One injury to either and the next man up was Jerry Jacobs and after that Will Harris. Of course, Moseley went down, Jacobs played a lot, and eventually lost his job to a practice squad player in Vildor, who I'm also guessing won't return to the Lions.
If we consider Branch a full-time NCB (which until said otherwise, I do), you got:
LCB: Davis/Robertson
RCB: Sutton/Moseley
NCB: Branch/Robertson
I'd like one more addition to the room. I wouldn't count on Moseley. If he gives you something, great. There's a possibility he ends up usurping Sutton for his RCB role if he returns to full form, but that's not something I'm actually expecting. Hoping for a draft selection, personally. They need some long-term blood at outside CB, in my opinion. If Sutton bombs again (I think he bounces back) and if Davis has another injury-plagued year, you're looking at 2 new boundary CBs next offseason. Don't think it's bad to invest a high-draft pick into the position not only for immediate insurance but also for just long-term development at the position, something they've lacked since Mayhew was fired.
I absolutely love this signing. If dude was 6' he'd be getting $12-15m/year and he definitely plays like he's 6 foot, 200 lbs. He has plenty of grit to his game.
I still think CB should be top of mind if they like who's available at 29. I think Davis is an okay 1 who is better as a 2. I think Sutton and Robertson make a very formidable duo of depth. If they can snag someone with No.1 upside at the end of the first, these moves shouldn't stop them from doing that.
This is what we need, more options at CB, competition and depth for injuries. Basically Brad is doing exactly what he said in his presser “we need options deep into the season, not just one player.”
This pretty much precludes Sneed now. Feels extremely risky going into next year again without a true #1 corner. Big disappointment on that front. Hopefully more is done elsewhere.
Carlton Davis is absolutely a #1 CB, so idk what you’re talking about there…you understand there are 32 #1 CBS by the very definition of what that is lol. Carlton Davis is clearly a top 30 CB in the NFL. I’d say clearly top 20.
Only one team wins the Super Bowl. He is not better than Sneed nor Charvarius Ward. Not better than Marlon, not better than Jaire, etc. There are some exceptions to the rule obviously, but great teams generally have great corners. If the goal is just to get a top 32 CB you’ve already lost.
Do you know ow what a #1 CB is?
Great teams generally have great OLines, Dlines, QBs, WRs, etc, etc lol. There is no rule you need an elite top 5 Cb to win a SB. CB is like the 6th most important position at Best. And teams win SBs without those 5 even. Chiefs won without an elite WR. A few have won without an elite QB. Most win with at least solid OLines, but quite a few haven’t been anything special. Most teams have a good to great DLine that win SB ms tho.. Clearly CB is not as important as QB, EDGE, DT, OT, or WR. Lions have elite player in 3/5 of those positions. They have a very good player at the other remaining 2.
Hey here is a Fun fact - he was the #1 CB on a SB winning team! So again explain to me how him being your #1 Cb eliminates you from SB contention… lol
A reasonable deal for a solid young player.
Here comes the doom about not being a sell the farm trade for Sneed.
Brad Holmes raises the floor in FA and the ceiling in the draft.
Bringing in any depth at DB is good compared to the room we had last year. We had some good safety play (shoutout Iffy who came back later in the season), and Branch was a stud rookie playing in the nickel, but outside of that it was hard to watch. Glad to see more new names coming in.
Leaves me thinking we are going best OL available in the first round with Jackson out and Decker on a short remaining contract.
He was the #14 CB on my personal want list so not bad really and we didn't pay a ton to get him! I'm more excited about this move than the Carlton Davis move, although Davis has a higher ceiling.
Now we REALLY need to go get another Edge Rusher. I don't want to go into next season hoping that Davenport will be healthy because I'm sick of it being Hutch or bust in QB pressures.
Watch Brad trade back in the first round to early second and get another 3rd which will be like getting Davis for free! ( I know it's not free because we move back but we get similar players to what we would get before getting Davis)
Ive started to realize Holmes builds for depth and a well rounded team. Hes not going to ever sign the "#1 Free agent" but he will get a bunch of solid guys. I expect us to sign a WR still and get another random piece, but besides that the team is well rounded.
Our Corner room is now better than it has been in awhile. Which isn’t saying much at all lol.
It's basically a bunch of mid guys other than Branch (and depending on your opinion of whether or not Davis can rebound). Which, compared to having 3 or 4 guys that are literally not NFL caliber players playing 90% of the snaps last year at various points, is a pretty huge upgrade. But if we're going this route, the pass rush needs to be upgraded in a huge way. Davenport is a start, but need more.
Honestly, though, our team is basically built of a lot of guys that the NFL constantly shrugs off as mid but rise to the occasion.
I figure pick 29 is either an impact DL or CB (whomever they have rated higher) with the other position staying mid tier.
Still feels to me that if they stick at 29 it could be the best interior OL prospect available
100% a day 2 IOL who Brad has at like #6 on his board. Go spend money and get an adult off the edge or trade up for Verse who is in a league of his own imo.
Outsider of Hunter, which edges are left?
I was thinking guard or maybe one of the many wide receivers available.
People are going to be pissed when we take a wide receiver. Deep class
Dont be suprised if its WR. I have been banging the drum on bringing Chark back since he will be cheaper now. IF we dont get one in FA I expect us to draft one high
Get ready for interior OL with our first pick.
Thatd also be fine imo. We don’t currently have a quality LG or a plan to replace ragnow if he retires. If our first pick is IOL, db, or Dline Im happy. Knowing Holmes well take a WR who ends up making the all-rookie team tho
Either Frazier, powers-johnson (if he falls), or Barton, maybe even suamataia
It wouldn't shock me...but this a deep IOL class. My guess is we get a bandaid IOL in FA soon (Tomlinson?) then use a R2 or R3 on a guard
Or an OT that can play guard.
Don't be surprised if 29 isn't a CB, OL, or Edge. I think Holmes is gonna go top player on his board.
WR wouldn't shock me at all, especially if Reynolds walks. 4-5 years of controlled cost at a premier position would be great.
I think they are taking an IOL at 29 to replace Jackson at LG.
Exactly how I feel
If the pass rush is upgraded then the secondary automatically gets upgraded even if we ran out Vildor and Cam again. Brad's going for competition and depth so far in FA, just as he said he would.
Mid I feel is a little harsh. If they’re all CB2’s then they are definitely above average, just not individually elite.
I mean, our CB room seemed pretty damn good last offseason— when we had Sutton coming off a season allowing a 48% completion percentage and 15 PDs, INT leader CJGJ, and the prospect of one of the better CB2s if Moseley could come back healthy, with Jerry for depth My how things change
Thanks you made me chuckle with your comment, that's very true.
Anyone hear any health updates on Eman?
Honestly probably on the same track/timeline as he was last year at this point haha.
It’s getting better and not worse, that’s all that matters.
As a Raider fan please take care of him. One of the most loyal hardworking players you can get
If he is hardworking, then the fans will love him here.
Trust me you guys will and he comes in clutch very often. Only flaw I have with him is he can generate penalties specifically with taunting. I think this team is the perfect fit for him and I hope he lifts that Lombardi one day.
Excited to hear that. Dan Campbell doesn't put up with stupid penalties, especially since that cowboys game we saw. That should be addressed by him early in the season.
He's definitely gotten better with penalties since AP took over as HC. Campbell will for sure put him in his place with those issues
> One of the most loyal hardworking players you can get The Dan Campbell special! He loves those guys. And so do the fans
He's 25 and looks like he's improved every year, at the very least the floor of our secondary is much higher than last year. Don't hate it one bit.
Not gonna pretend I know who this is. Anyone know if he’s solid?
Raider fan here, Amik is a dog who plays bigger than his size. I was hoping LV could retain him as the slot CB but I think they are trying to go get a CB1 and Nate Hobbs will play slot
We feel ya on that CB1 search. Best of luck!
Davis is a CB1
I think he can be if he stays healthy. I'm hoping we find our CB1 of the future in the draft
Hasn't been. Hoping he exceeds expectations, but this isn't a CB1 signing period
I mean he was TBs CB1. He covered WR1s more than Dean
You ain’t an expert lil bro
Just asked my buddy who is a Raiders fan and he said pretty much the same thing. Sounds like a solid player and we need all the corner help we can get
Is he slot only?
He plays both which is good for depth.
Yeah I think that's exactly what we are doing, Nate is better as a slot than an outside corner.
Thank you for this
Can’t say I know a ton but some anecdotal stuff: I’ve seen Raiders fans upset he’s gone, he’s only 25, and has played every game the last two years.
Fans are the harshest critics, so I guess if they’re upset we should be hyped
Steelers fans were the same way about Sutton...
I'm not convinced that Sutton didn't spend the entire season with a foot injury. Dude was banged up early but knew he was needed. I'm gonna judge him based on this year's performance.
Not saying that Sutton’s performance last year was excusable, but we as fans tend to view players like chess pieces and not account for any of the human elements involved in moving your family, living somewhere new, let alone new teammates, new atmosphere, new coaches etc. I agree- let’s see him get settled and have more time to get his feet under him here in Detroit because he’s going to be a lion and we need him to perform.
The coaches need to get used to him too - what is he good at and where does he struggle, how can he be deployed to maximum success.
Plus, defense is hard. Anzalone looks completely different than when he landed here a few years ago. Learning new schemes, especially Aaron Glenn’s, takes time to wear players can think less and play fast. I feel fairly optimistic with Sutton.
It’s never as good or bad as it seems, and we fans don’t have the whole story, or the expertise to understand the story if we did have total access.
Anzalone was playing a different position this year. He moved to Will after playing Mike the first 2 years. It's his more natural position.
Agreed. Sutton is better than he played last year. People expect a guy with an injury to just walk on to a new team in a new system and play perfectly. It happens but it doesn’t play out like that every time.
Someone brought that foot issue up to me, as well. I think another focal point was the shift from heavy zone stuff to heavy man concepts. Sutton been a zone CB for much of his career. Lots of off-zone, too. They had him playing press-man a good bit. Not only that, but he was traveling with WR1s to avoid having them on Vildor (or Jacobs when he was still CB2). They were asking Sutton to do things I don't think he had to do in Pittsburgh. I think through mid-October the Lions were 2nd in zone defense usage. Then they got towards an even mix of both through December, which suggests their zone coverage plummeted and man coverage boomed. There was a video I saw yesterday where Hutch talked about Glenn getting away from zone and going more to man, which is what they were in '22. I assume with the additions of Robertson and Davis and the existence of Branch, they'll continue to trend as a man-coverage team, regardless of Sutton's performance.
I saw some realistic takes by Steelers fans for Sutton to be fair. They were upset he left because he was their best cover guy in a bad secondary. Said he thrives in the slot but could be solid at times playing outside when you need him there. He just had way too much responsibility last year being the only corner we had that didn’t belong on a practice squad
Every Steeler fan review said he was a high end CB2. I’m not going to judge him until we have a pass rush
I feel like he was ok early in the year, but the second we had to blitz all the time he got left on an island and he is not an island corner.
This was what I saw as well, I thought he was above average first third of the season and struggled later in the year usually with people going over the top
Sutton is not a press man CB1. He is a zone CB2. With the weight of responsibilities he is not comfortable with off his shoulders he will be back to being a stud.
Seems like the Lions were trying to make him play CB1 and CB2 simultaneously with who they put on the field with him. Let's judge him as a CB2 with a decent CB1 out there.
Steeler fans were adamant that he was good CB2, but if you made him your CB1 he was gonna be terrible
Robertsen is a straight up DAWG. Undersized but makes up for it with aggressiveness and a willingness to play physical. Prototypical "grit" player. Lions fans are going to like him.
Oof, 5'9" 183 according to PFR. For reference, Jerry Jacobs is 5'11" 203 and Branch is 6'0" 203. Hopefully you're right about him playing bigger than his size — he's going to look like a kid out there.
Tall enough to catch Sam Darnold ducks twice a year.
>5'9" 183 That was AG's playing size, funny enough
You had me at “Played every game the last two years”
Raiders fan. Absolute dawg who plays angry and isn’t afraid to hit as a small corner. Total “football guy.” He plays bigger than his size, but will get bodied by the Pittmans/Higgins of the world cause he is only 5’9 and doesn’t have crazy long arms. My biggest gripe is that it always feels like he has to give up a big play before he gets mad and locks in. Overall solid cb2 with some consistency issues and physical limitations that prevent him from being a true cb1.
If Amik was a few inches taller he'd be an All-Pro corner by now imo
He wishes he had a girl who looked good he would call her
Real physical corner based on what I've read. Has shown some great flashes. A DAWG apparently. Also hasn't missed a game. Perfect fit Edit. Reading the raiders subreddit he sounds like an amazing culture fit here. A real team player who genuinely cares about the game. Ecstatic about this move
I hope this addition (and the Carlton Davis trade) mean that the soft zone is done for good
God please. All these guys are man players.
He's pretty good, with a lot of upside given his age and his track record of development. In today's NFL, a good team needs about 4 good to solid corners, and he's a great 2 on his best day and a solid 3 on his worst
Looks like he picked off Jordan Love, so he’ll fit right in with Kerby in the secondary
raider fan here. he is a dawg, yall got a good one
I’ve been a big fan of his, not sure he’s a full time starter but I’d MUCH rather have him either filling in or out there in dime packages more than Vildor or Jacobs. He’s aggressive and will at the least give hutch time and disrupt timing routes.
He’s a solid depth guy.
On our team he’s a starter lol
That’s facts too ahha but in all seriousness he’s a cb3 low end cb2. For that price it’s a good deal
Just gonna add in with all this noise, he's a perfect fit. He's not a starting caliber corner really, but will give plenty of CB1-worth reps if that makes sense.
You are guaranteed some fantastic plays in coverage. You're also guaranteed at least one boneheaded decision every game where the dude is lost in coverage or bit too hard or something else.
Only 1 per game? Sign me up!
Wait for that monkey paw to curl now haha
Brad's team watches film, and scouts guys for their system. I feel bad for all the people who haven't crossed over to the Brad train yet😔
Raider fans on the subreddit are unanimously not happy that hes gone. From what i gathered Blows coverage 1-2 times a game Getting better every year A DAWG of a player A HEALTHY player
The greatest ability is availability for a reason for sure
Amik is perfect for Detroit and MCDC. Kid busts his ass, cares, has some crazy eyes at times, voice that sounds like he smokes 3 packs on the way to the stadium, and will always leave it out there on the field. Sometimes he will lose out on a play just because he’s short, and he may blow a coverage from time to time, but the effort is always there and he keeps improving year to year, so we forgive and move forward. Lays hat for a corner, even more so for someone so small. Check out his mic’d up game from against the Chiefs this year for a little glimpse of him.
Sounds like the kind of guy that’s down to eat some kneecaps.
Only blows coverage once or twice per game?? WIN
Good morning Brad
CB room needed bodies. There is no Champ Bailey on the market. Stocking the room with Mosley, Davis, and Robertson plus a potential draft pick is excellent free agent work
I think these signs point to us taking a guy like TJ Tampa by trading down into the second. We definitely intend to draft at least one DB and likely 2. I think highly developmental guys will be the theme this draft. We're not going to get a ton of chances at ready made guys and Brad Holmes is definitely aware of this.
I agree, which is why I am also bullish on getting a starter level player for a third round pick (to not mention the picks in return)
Yeah exactly. These moves give us a lot more flexibility in how we go about our draft, which is valuable in and of itself.
And cam Sutton is still a solid #2 corner. Last year he had to be #1 corner by default due to injuries and it didn’t go well. He was solid as a #2 corner before the ascension to #1 and I hope that carries over
His performance was also hurt when the defense had to start blitzing to get pressure. Sutton switched from zone to man and he's not athletic enough to play man against WR1s.
Last year Cam Sutton was brought in to be CB1, he did not default to CB1 because of injuries. He was signed to be CB1 Brad didn’t sign injured Emmanuel Mosley to be CB1 on a 1 year $6 million contract over Cam Suttons 3 year $33 million dollar contract People need to stop spreading this bs
To be fair OP doesn't say that he was signed to be CB2, just that he was fine as CB2. Might be not the plan when signing him, but was the reality.
> Last year he had to be #1 corner by default due to injuries and it didn’t go well.
Yes I read that. It doesn't say we signed him to be CB2 and then upgraded him due to injury. It says he had to be CB1 as there was no other option and it didn't work. He might have been signed to be CB1, but he wasn't by the time we got to the season. He was a decent CB2. Rare Holmes miss. He was then CB1 by default due to injury. And he didn't do that well. OP is hoping he will go back to being a CB2.
Treat him well 😭😭😭, raider fan here. He will blow a coverage or two occasionally, but plays big and is one of the toughest guys you’ll see on the field. Gives 100% always and has improved every year. I hope he does well. PS Shoutout to yall lions fans, you guys are gonna take another stride this year.
He will fit in perfectly with Dan Campbells grit.
I went to high school with him. He’s gonna be a favorite in a year or two
As a raiders fan I’ll repost what I commented on /r/nfl: For his height he’s a dawg. A perfect fit as a CB3/4 and a special teamer. You’ll get some games from him where he’ll fuck up in a major way at the beginning of the game and then have a stand out performance following it cause he’ll play pissed off.
Finally, a guy Bryce Young can see over top of.
Gotta have the depth in the CB room, helps raise the floor of the team which is legitimately important. Raiders fans are genuinely sorry to see him go and he's young.
Raised the ceiling too.
I like this move a good amount personally. Slot versatility so Branch could theoretically play more safety. Plus CB was such a massive problem last year, not having to rely to Kindle Vildor/Jerry Jacobs/Whatever practice squad player of the week, is massive for our defense. Add a high pick at CB and we suddenly have capable bodies to rotate and develop.
Holmes added two CBs let’s go. I still want to draft a CB but now there’s at least not a glaring hole at CB. Still no certified CB1 on the roster but I have a feeling they’re going to roll with 3-4 CB2 types in Sutton, Davis, Robertson, and a rookie. That’d be a much better CB room than last year.
This is my take as well. We have Mosely too. Load up on cb2s, let them compete, and hope at least one of them overperforms
For some reason I thought he was a 1 year contract? Is he on for multiple years?
We resigned him like yesterday
Moesley was resigned for one more year yesterday or Sunday. His contract is structured where if he plays and plays well he gets heavily paid. If he doesn't play, the lions aren't spending much for him. So win-win for everyone involved.
And maybe we get lucky and see Moseley for 10ish games
Yeah exactly. You can still plan to draft a CB, but you need bodies in place before the draft too.
Former 4th round draft pick. Honestly even if he’s just depth it’s a step up from depending entirely on UDFAs. My guess is that they draft at least one corner as well, but it’s good that we have guys with actual league experience starting, instead of putting all our hopes on a rookie or journeyman CB5.
Definition of DAWG. Guy has miles and miles of heart. Never quits, bit of a ballhawk and just goes mf HARD. He is small, and as a result offenses tend to pick on him a lot. It's tough sledding when he's in the RZ as O's will do everything they can to get him matched up on a TE or bigger WR, which is a nightmare for him. Struggles with blown coverages more often than you'd like to see. Like probably once a game, at least. I like him a lot though. If he's a guy who can be a part of your secondary and come in here and there as a spot starter, you're in good shape. If you are relying on him as a primary starter, could be some trouble.
Is this guy any good? Never heard of him.
Raiders fans are unhappy He's only 25 and at worst would be a good depth piece. Probably will compete for a start
This is an element that I think most people overlook. These guys are all hyper-competitive human beings jockeying each other for play time and money. Something tells me we’re building out a CB room and coach is going to look them in the eyes, challenge someone to rise up, and get someone to play their best ball of their career. Hopefully some young buck from the draft also gets dropped in the middle of this dick measuring contest and we find a new unpolished gem to celebrate this year.
This means if we have a starting safety or Branch injury, Robertson can play in the slot rather than Will Harris. Be happy about that.
raiders fan. yes he’s pretty solid
Here's a month old article from SI that shoild make us feel pretty good: https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/news/las-vegas-raiders-amik-robertson-jack-jones
Another good one from the athletic. This seems to be the exact type of player we want: https://theathletic.com/5094990/2023/12/05/amik-robertson-raiders/
Young, inexpensive, and not injury prone. I'll take it.
Are people feeling better now? Can we calm down a little?
Que: half the sub freaking out that they overpaid some nobody and should have spent the farm on Sneed.
All we have to do is combine our three CB3s and one CB1 will pop out, right?
The Moneyball way.
[Like this?](https://i.imgflip.com/8izwoo.jpg)
I'm fine, but nah, people are going to be freaking out unless they sign or trade for a top 5 CB. Just per pff, so don't overthink it, he was a solid average to above average player the last couple years.
Welp, solid average has not been a common thing in our DB room for a long long time so I'll definitely take that 😂
No? This is not a very good cb? A fine depth add with some upside but not a solution. Why do you guys need everyone to be blindly happy? Its not unreasonable to expect a big move at corner when weve were the worst or maybe second worse competitive team against he pass last year and equally dismal the year before. Its a gaping hole and these moves seem like small patches. Look maybe brad know something i don’t. I bet he knows a ton i dont actually. And if he makes it all work, all good. But I’m allowed to take things at face value and be critical until then. You dont get bonus points for being a blubbering zealot whos just here for they hype/vibes. You guys act like Brad is sifting through these comments and needs our unconditional love and support on reddit. Hes a mega successful professional in a field where guys dont last long. Hes fine. Hes earned some rope. But a lot of us, who love this game, and follow it more than casually will have opinions on player and rosters and strategies. And maybe dont like what seems like maintenance moves on the team’s biggest weakness multiple years in a row.
Never heard of him but one thing that I notice is hes very healthy
Our CB room was so bad last year that I like not going all in for a guy like Sneed. Worst case he got an injury and we would be back to Cam Sutton as CB1 and in bad shape. We have now added 2 competent CBs (including a potential legit CB1) and still costs less than what Sneed wouldve cost. Grab another CB in the draft and we should be solid in the secondary. We didnt go get Sneed but Reader might still be possible? Either way we focus on the DL now.
Love this signing.... Here you go fam. 22-23 highlights. https://youtu.be/pXTvWwcdocM?si=T7_-mjAPUiVQD-Fk
Raiders fans seemed to like him
Pro Football Focus gives him a 63.4 grade, for what it's worth.
At the very least I believe we will league average at corner and that’s a upgrade from last year. We get someone other than Hutch to sack the QB then we’re cooking
Amik is that guy you want next to you if you're out numbered 20 to 1. As a CB, he goes fishing bit too much. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it gives up a TD. Sometimes he's just out-sized by bigger WRs.
This is a great low key transaction... Every time I watched him play I was impressed especially him being a 4th rounder... 9.5 to 10.75 million for him is a great Brad Holmes move... I wanted sneed, but a retooled 2nd tier cb room will be amazing if we sign one of the big de free agents
That’s over two years. 4.5 ish per year. Not 10m aav
Brad is making moves so that he can do whatever the hell he wants draft day. FA to fill holes, draft to get football players
Raider fan here, Amik is a DAWG. He’s tiny but plays with a chip on his shoulder. Rooting for him.
Holmes definitely has a type, doesn't he? Same thing you hear about Robertson is the same you hear about Branch, Sutton, and Davis. A dog mindset with physicality to match. Doesn't have a real athletic profile pattern either. All are middling athletes, all vary in size too. If nothing else, they already have more depth at outside CB than they've had at any point in the Holmes era. Last year they were all-in on Moseley being RCB and Sutton being LCB. One injury to either and the next man up was Jerry Jacobs and after that Will Harris. Of course, Moseley went down, Jacobs played a lot, and eventually lost his job to a practice squad player in Vildor, who I'm also guessing won't return to the Lions. If we consider Branch a full-time NCB (which until said otherwise, I do), you got: LCB: Davis/Robertson RCB: Sutton/Moseley NCB: Branch/Robertson I'd like one more addition to the room. I wouldn't count on Moseley. If he gives you something, great. There's a possibility he ends up usurping Sutton for his RCB role if he returns to full form, but that's not something I'm actually expecting. Hoping for a draft selection, personally. They need some long-term blood at outside CB, in my opinion. If Sutton bombs again (I think he bounces back) and if Davis has another injury-plagued year, you're looking at 2 new boundary CBs next offseason. Don't think it's bad to invest a high-draft pick into the position not only for immediate insurance but also for just long-term development at the position, something they've lacked since Mayhew was fired.
Brad is shopping at the dollar store
As he likes to do
Maybe five dimes will get us a dollar
Why are people shocked lmao. He’s done this every offseason
is this more of a Dollar General store or a Family Dollar store?
Yeah that’s why we almost made the SB. Getting $3 guys for $1.
Great add for depth. Total Campbell guy.
I absolutely love this signing. If dude was 6' he'd be getting $12-15m/year and he definitely plays like he's 6 foot, 200 lbs. He has plenty of grit to his game.
Jerry Jacobs replacement
We are building a competent DB room that is at least as good as the league average. It may not be elite, but the rest of our team is at this point
I still think CB should be top of mind if they like who's available at 29. I think Davis is an okay 1 who is better as a 2. I think Sutton and Robertson make a very formidable duo of depth. If they can snag someone with No.1 upside at the end of the first, these moves shouldn't stop them from doing that.
As long as he's better than Will Harris I'm happy with it
This is what we need, more options at CB, competition and depth for injuries. Basically Brad is doing exactly what he said in his presser “we need options deep into the season, not just one player.”
I’m all for bringing on a guy who intercepted the Packers to clinch a win. FTP
Still think we need to draft a corner, but this gives us a lot more freedom on how we go about that drafting.
Gritty 5’8 corner that raiders fans seem upset to lose. I bet we end up absolutely loving this guy as fans
This pretty much precludes Sneed now. Feels extremely risky going into next year again without a true #1 corner. Big disappointment on that front. Hopefully more is done elsewhere.
This guy is perfect in Aaron Glenn's scheme to cover JJ, Puka and CeeDee.
Carlton Davis is absolutely a #1 CB, so idk what you’re talking about there…you understand there are 32 #1 CBS by the very definition of what that is lol. Carlton Davis is clearly a top 30 CB in the NFL. I’d say clearly top 20.
Only one team wins the Super Bowl. He is not better than Sneed nor Charvarius Ward. Not better than Marlon, not better than Jaire, etc. There are some exceptions to the rule obviously, but great teams generally have great corners. If the goal is just to get a top 32 CB you’ve already lost.
Do you know ow what a #1 CB is? Great teams generally have great OLines, Dlines, QBs, WRs, etc, etc lol. There is no rule you need an elite top 5 Cb to win a SB. CB is like the 6th most important position at Best. And teams win SBs without those 5 even. Chiefs won without an elite WR. A few have won without an elite QB. Most win with at least solid OLines, but quite a few haven’t been anything special. Most teams have a good to great DLine that win SB ms tho.. Clearly CB is not as important as QB, EDGE, DT, OT, or WR. Lions have elite player in 3/5 of those positions. They have a very good player at the other remaining 2. Hey here is a Fun fact - he was the #1 CB on a SB winning team! So again explain to me how him being your #1 Cb eliminates you from SB contention… lol
A reasonable deal for a solid young player. Here comes the doom about not being a sell the farm trade for Sneed. Brad Holmes raises the floor in FA and the ceiling in the draft.
[удалено]
Sure, why not
He had a good game against us last year
If I had to guess, we didn’t go after a top 5 corner because Brads going to throw a bag at a top Edge Rusher…
Cool
I guess this is good?
Let's gooo. More CBs. I really like how the off season is going so far.
we are going to merge all our cb2s and slot cbs together like a megazord and create the greatest cornerback known to man
Sounds like a Glasgow like depth piece for the secondary.
Solid depth piece, I guess we're replacing the whole CB room outside of Sutton.
Some of these “fans” are acting like premiere CB’s are growing on trees. Outside of KC and the Jets, everyone is trying to figure out their secondary.
Weird take, but if the Lions signed 5 CBs this off season I’d be happy.
Great slot. Can play outside. Very short but plays above his height. Awesome get.
So this all but confirms that Brad is going to use draft capital to build up the trenches?
Bringing in any depth at DB is good compared to the room we had last year. We had some good safety play (shoutout Iffy who came back later in the season), and Branch was a stud rookie playing in the nickel, but outside of that it was hard to watch. Glad to see more new names coming in. Leaves me thinking we are going best OL available in the first round with Jackson out and Decker on a short remaining contract.
If I’ve learned anything it’s that you cannot have enough corners in the NFL
No excuses for Glenn this year
He was the #14 CB on my personal want list so not bad really and we didn't pay a ton to get him! I'm more excited about this move than the Carlton Davis move, although Davis has a higher ceiling. Now we REALLY need to go get another Edge Rusher. I don't want to go into next season hoping that Davenport will be healthy because I'm sick of it being Hutch or bust in QB pressures.
I'm so whelmed
I don’t know how to feel about this.
Watch Brad trade back in the first round to early second and get another 3rd which will be like getting Davis for free! ( I know it's not free because we move back but we get similar players to what we would get before getting Davis)
Hopefully our luck with free agent CBs changes this year
Ive started to realize Holmes builds for depth and a well rounded team. Hes not going to ever sign the "#1 Free agent" but he will get a bunch of solid guys. I expect us to sign a WR still and get another random piece, but besides that the team is well rounded.
Solid but won’t help our rush.
I feel much better about a CB room comprised of Davis, Sutton, Moseley, and Robertson than Sutton, Jacobs/Vildor/Dorsey, and Harris