The Las Vegas Raiders made Amik Robertson their final pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, and here is how he fits with the Silver and Black.
Amik Robertson was a three-star recruit out of Thibodaux, Louisiana, and on Saturday, the Las Vegas Raiders made him the No. 139 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He had offers by power five schools LSU, Oklahoma State, and Texas, and instead, he opted to stay true to his original verbal commitment to Louisiana Tech that he gave to them early in his recruitment.
Like new teammates Damon Arnette and Lynn Bowden Jr, Robertson is a father to a young son as well, bringing a level of maturity not usually shown by a player his age. Robertson may be small in stature, standing at 5-foot 8-inches, and weighing 188 pounds, but he makes up for it with his elite ball skills and production.
He did not run in the 40-yard dash at the combine but was clocked in the 100-meters in high school at a 10.62. For reference, Henry Ruggs III was timed as a Senior in high school at 10.58, so long speed is not an issue.
In three seasons at Louisiana Tech he started 38 games with 183 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, 48 pass deflections, and 14 interceptions, including three that were pick-sixes. In 2019, he was chosen as a first team All-American and first team All-CUSA.
He plays with a chip on his shoulder and is tough as nails against the run. With Arnette and Robertson in the secondary the group definitely got an attitude adjustment. Combining the mentality of those two men with 2019 first round pick, Johnathan Abram and opposing receivers might have themselves a problem when facing the Raiders secondary.
How he fits
Because he lacks the ideal size and body type to play on the outside, Robertson projects as a nickel corner in the NFL. Robertson finds himself in a very good situation with the Raiders because although Lamarcus Joyner was brought in last offseason to play slot corner, he struggled in his first year, and carries a large cap number going forward.
In 2021, Joyner can be cut with a $2.5 million dead cap number, and while that isn’t peanuts, it would save the team roughly $9 million in cap space. The Raiders defense has lacked playmakers and struggled badly in 2019 to force turnovers, as they ranked 31st in the league with 15 turnovers created.
Robertson has the ability to help in that area. He is more than willing to be physical and will not shy away from tackling. From what I have seen on his film, he was used effectively blitzing as well, I expect Paul Guenther to deploy him in that way as well.
Early in his career with the Raiders I expect Robertson to find his way on special teams and push Nevin Lawson for back up nickel corner duties should Lamarcus Joyner struggle. Long term, I can see Robertson sliding in as starter and having a successful NFL career.
This is one of my favorite picks of the 2020 class.