Louisiana Tech cornerback, Amik Robertson, is a name to watch for the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft.
It’s effortless to link Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson to the Tennessee Titans.
The former Bulldog is a little bit Honeybadger, and a little bit Cortland Finnegan, which you can clearly see when you watch because while Robertson is undersized, he doesn’t seem to know it. Even if he does know it, then he definitely doesn’t play like an “undersized” DB typically plays.
The prerequisites are there: small-school kid, underdog mentality, tenacious, aggressive vs the run. In fact, he checks all the boxes for a “Jon Robinson third-round flyer.” (Titans GM Jon Robinson has a history of taking players with high-upside from smaller schools in the third round.)
But where would he fit? With CB Logan Ryan’s probable departure, many believe that DB Amani Hooker will play the slot in nickel packages. For me, therein lies the rub.
Where was Hooker down the stretch in 2019 when the Titans were riddled with injury at corner? Why didn’t the coaching staff at least experiment with him in the slot and move Ryan to the boundary?
Instead, they opted to roll Hooker in as the lone high-safety in packages and brought free safety Kevin Byard to man up with tight ends and running backs on the line of scrimmage.
It should be noted that I don’t mind this at all, schematically. I’m only illustrating this in hopes to make this point: based on how he was used, the Titans sure seem to think that he is a better fit at safety that as a slot cornerback.
With former Titans’ CB Leshaun Sims signing a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday, depth at corner must be addressed. So here’s my pitch for Robertson.
At 5-foot-8 inches tall and 187 pounds soaking wet, Robertson has insane short burst and lateral agility. He is fearless, physical, and is sticky in man and zone coverage(s) with the versatility to do many things.
A ballhawk with excellent anticipation and rare turnover production (14 career interceptions), Robertson finds the football. As a bonus, he significantly improves your run defense, which is unique for a smaller cornerback like I said earlier.
Robertson is a good fit for a defense based on multiplicity, specifically in a conference that must spread out to contain the offenses of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens.
I believe Robertson plays with heart and a chip on his shoulder. He could be special lining up in the slot in nickel packages and in run support. Go get him, JR.