Film breakdown: Amik Robertson earning his role on Lions defense

Amik Robertson is one of the Detroit Lions’ most underrated defenders. We dive into the film to show how he’s thriving at nickel.

The Detroit Lions entered their Week 4 win against the Seattle Seahawks ranking near the bottom of the league averaging only 26 snaps of nickel personnel per game on defense. Against the Seahawks, the Lions defense played in nickel a season-high 43 snaps. Coincidentally, Amik Robertson recorded season-highs with both 52 defensive snaps played and by playing 57.7% of the defensive snaps against the Seahawks.

The Lions uptick in nickel personnel usage could be a combination of two factors. The Seahawks offense utilizes a heavy amount of three-wide receiver sets, or 11-personnel, which often requires more defensive backs on the field to defend. The increased usage also could be a response to SAM linebacker Derrick Barnes being injured in Week 3, and the nickel being a preferred personnel grouping without an adequate replacement for his SAM linebacker role.

Interestingly enough, per Sumer Sports, after the first four weeks of the season (personnel data not refreshed to reflect Week 5), three of the Lions opponents’ offenses rank in the top six in 11-personnel usage. The Rams were leading the NFL by playing 11 personnel on 85.2% of all snaps, while the Seahawks were fifth at 77.3%, and the Buccaneers were sixth at 77%. Given the Lions didn’t play as much nickel against the Rams or Buccaneers, that tells me that in Barnes’ absence, the Lions defensive coaches prefer for Robertson to be on the field more as the 11th defender as opposed to potential out-of-position SAM linebacker replacements.

Robertson capitalized on his expanded opportunity in Week 4 as the defense’s slot defender. He registered eight solo tackles and two passes defended. He only had two games with 2+ passes defended in 2022-23. PFF also gave Robertson a 73.0 defensive grade, which was good for 25th-highest among all cornerbacks (ranked right in between All-Pros Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner).

Robertson will only continue to improve as he becomes more comfortable in defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn’s scheme, as he adjusts back to slot cornerback after primarily playing outside cornerback the last season and a half.

In Week 4, Robertson displayed so many intangibles that Glenn not only loves in a defensive back but that Glenn also portrayed during his playing days. Robertson has active eyes, is a willing tackler, and is non-stop competitive from snap through the catch point. Robertson is always battling as if he has a chip on his shoulder.

Below, I’ll take you through 10 of Robertson’s clips from Week 4 and illustrate why he’ll be an asset for this defense moving forward, starting with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 (64% 11-personnel).

Play #1 – Lined up at right slot

Robertson received a heavy dosage of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and was effective in helping limit him to only 6.4 yards/reception. Here Robertson blankets him in the two-minute drill and denies the slant.

Play #2 – Lined up at left slot

The Seahawks did an admirable job trying to take advantage of Robertson by making shifts pre-snap to have him moving around to different sides of the formation. Same slant route, new wide receiver (Tyler Lockett), same result as Robertson again is physical and in his back pocket to force another incomplete slant pass with the pass deflection.

Play #3 – Lined up at left slot

This might have been Robertson’s most impressive rep of the game. He sifts through the garbage on the crosser rub routes and snatches Smith-Njigba up quickly after the short completion for minimal gain.

Play #4 – Lined up at right slot

This is high-level coverage teamwork on the goal line. Robertson carries Smith-Njigba on the crosser before handing him off and dropping back off as the post hole coverage player to prevent anything over the middle on the backside of the play.

Play #5 – Lined up at right slot

Robertson here is deployed by Glenn on another more unique coverage responsibility than some of the typical man or zone responsibilities. Robertson provides a pre-snap coverage bluff and backs off from the slot and drops into a two-high coverage concept as part of a zone blitz. This defensive chess move by Glenn helps to force Geno Smith to hesitate for a split second and provides an opportunity for the pass rush, and blitzing Kerby Joseph, a shot at Smith. Unfortunately, Smith plays hero ball, escapes, and completes a pass downfield.

Play #6 – Lined up at right slot

Robertson, moving around the formation again pre-snap, lines up in press man coverage. This is an impressive job by Robertson to show off his quick twitch and long speed skills to run stride for stride with Smith-Njigba on the streak to the opposite corner pylon.

Play #7 – Lined up at left slot

Once again Seattle tests Robertson deep, this time in the red zone, with the slot fade route. Perfect sticky coverage by Robertson being Smith-Njigba’s shadow as no target comes his way.

Plays #8-9 – Lined up at right slot and then at left slot

Both instances are the toughest assignment for a slot defender. Robertson has to fight through the initial wide receiver, lined up in the bunch formation, “running a route” (debatable, surprised offensive pass interference wasn’t called earlier) to get to his man running a quick flat route. Both passes are completed but Robertson is able to recover and prevent the big catch and run. Robertson will continue to be tested in these situations against quicker slot wide receivers.

Play #10 – Lined up at right slot

Robertson drops into his hook zone coverage responsibility and efficiently reacts before breaking down to tackle Kenneth Walker III on the dump-off pass. This was a much-improved tackle attempt when compared to the lone missed tackle Robertson had on the day on a similar play to Zach Charbonnet.

As evidenced by the clips highlighted, Robertson is a crucial reason why the coaching staff felt comfortable moving Branch back to safety. The Lions reliance on Robertson will continue to increase for a handful of reasons. When the Lions are in nickel, teams are passing on the Lions defense at a league-high rate of 81% of the time. Additionally, the three NFC North divisional rivals all have three deep and talented receiving corps that feature skilled slot receivers. The biggest slot test for Robertson will come this week against the Cowboys as they feature CeeDee Lamb out of the slot on 47.7% of the snaps. It’s a great opportunity for him to prove he’s up for the task.