Las Vegas Raiders: Big surprises from initial 53-man roster

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 26: Wide receiver Davante Adams #17 and cornerback Amik Robertson #21 react after a punt return by wide receiver Justin Hall #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: Big surprises from the initial 53-man roster

Amik Robertson makes the cut over Darius Phillips

Never mind the over Darius Phillips part, even ignoring the fact Phillips had a great preseason campaign while Robertson did not. Amik Robertson making the roster at all, over Phillips or not, is a true shock.

There’s only one word, to sum up, Robertson’s entire professional career – disappointing.

Entering the 2020 NFL Draft, Robertson was considered one of the best ‘sleeper’ prospects in the entire draft. With some expectation heading into his rookie year, he allowed an opposing quarterback rating of 149.3, which is a mere 9 away from a perfect rating.

The following year, in 2021, Roberton’s quarterback rating when targeted was 135.4. This gave him a horrific PFF grade of 37.2, with both his run and pass coverage grades under 40.0 individually.

Even through this year’s preseason, Roberton’s coverage grade was an underwhelming 48.4.

Now that Roberton’s career-long struggles are out of the way, let’s bring Darius Phillips back into this. Through this year’s preseason, Phillips earned a better coverage grade, logged an opposing quarterback rating of 66.3 (in comparison to Roberton’s 105.8), and allowed virtually half as many yards per reception (5.7 YPC to 10.4).

Phillips has not only had a better career, and not just the better preseason but offers versatility being a veteran special teamer. Amik, on the other hand, doesn’t offer that.

This move is really the biggest head scratcher, but trading for Jarrett Stidham, who threw 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions through his career, was equally as confusing. McDaniels proved Raider Nation wrong with Stidham, and he hopes to do it again with Robertson.

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