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Robertson's Departure Displays Raiders' Needs

Former Las Vegas Raider cornerback Amik Robertson was a key part of the Raiders' secondary. His absence creates immediate urgency at cornerback.
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The Las Vegas Raiders made a monumental move by agreeing to terms with former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. However, losing cornerback Amik Robertson to free agency leaves a new hole in the Raiders' defense.

Las Vegas' cornerback room showed a lot of promise by the end of last season, what with Jack Jones coming onto the scene as a surprise contributor in the Raiders' wins over the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs, 

Nate Hobbs finished his best season yet, and Brandon Facyson returned for the final three games. But the Raiders lack a consistent, top-tier cornerback.

The way he was trending, Robertson could have been that player, and Hobbs has the potential to be, too, but his constant injuries would say otherwise. 

Former Las Vegas Raider cornerback Amik Robertson (21) was a key part of the Raiders' secondary. His absence creates immediate urgency in the cornerback room.

Former Las Vegas Raider cornerback Amik Robertson (21) was a key part of the Raiders' secondary. His absence creates immediate urgency in the cornerback room.

The Raiders could have tremendous upside with young cornerbacks like Jones and Jakorian Bennett, but they need a leader.

It is clear as ever that the Silver and Black will have to prioritize the cornerback position this offseason, and if they can, they should get a big name. That could happen either in the draft or free agency, as both routes entail several great options.

Should Las Vegas take a cornerback in next month's NFL Draft, the said prospect would be set up for success learning from new Raiders cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr., who served as a defensive assistant for a New York Jets defensive unit that had the best young cornerback in the game, Sauce Gardner.

The Raiders selected Robertson in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played 52 games with 21 starts for the Silver and Black, totaling 111 combined tackles, four for losses, two sacks, a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown, two forced fumbles, 15 passes defensed and two interceptions.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

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