I know what you’re thinking, Lions fans.

How can Amik Robertson, who was simply a Swiss Army knife defender deployed by Kelvin Sheppard out of need, and not necessarily due to intentional game-planning, be one of Detroit’s top free agency priorities?

Well, it’s simply not often that you can rely on someone like Robertson, a depth signing now being asked to play starter’s snaps.

Robertson ended his 2025 campaign with the Lions with a career-high 12 passes defended, as well as with two forced fumbles and 52 total tackles (another career-high). With injuries to D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold throughout the season, Robertson was invaluable as a veteran with experience from his years with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Robertson is the perfect, low-cost defender to bring back in free agency for Detroit as they seek to ensure that their defensive depth remains a strength. Next man up mentality has been more than exercised by the Lions over the last few seasons, and Robertson is the perfect player to get back in the fold to keep that culture going.

Robertson has to be a free agency priority for Lions in 2026

Robertson’s valuation, per Over The Cap, is at just over $3 million per year. That’s more than fine for the Lions given their cap woes, and as they’ve yet to make the necessary contract restructurings to make any free agency signings.

Arnold and Reed will presumably be good to go in Week 1, but there are question marks around the viability of Ennis Rakestraw Jr. as a core depth piece behind either cornerback. Adding Robertson back to the roster ensures you have a veteran comfortable with Sheppard’s play-calling to back up either CB.

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Other options at cornerback for the Lions in free agency include Super Bowl champion defenders Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe, in addition to Cobie Durant and Greg Newsome II. The Lions could also look to re-sign breakout CB Rock Ya-Sin, who had a similarly solid backup-to-starter role for Detroit as Robertson in 2025.

Robertson sticks out as an extremely affordable defender with starting experience in this landscape, which is what’ll make him so important to prioritize if you’re Brad Holmes. Detroit has a lot of huge money decisions to make this offseason, and this would be one that’s under-the-radar, cheap, and just as impactful as those other big moves.