Report: Former Lions CB Darryl Roberts signing with Washington

The Detroit Lions are saying goodbye to yet another member from their 2020 secondary. After cutting both Desmond Trufant and Justin Coleman, the Lions will see another cornerback play elsewhere in 2021, as Darryl Robert is signing with the Washington Football Team, according to NFL Network Ian Rapoport. The terms of this deal are not yet known.

Roberts signed a one-year deal with the Lions in 2020, serving as depth on a cornerback squad expected to take a significant jump. However, injuries took their toll on the position early in the season, and Roberts would end up starting five games for the Lions, both on the outside and in the nickel. He finished the season second on the team with six passes defended, and although his PFF grade was just 54.3 for the entire year, that was actually the best mark among starting Lions cornerbacks last season.

Earlier in the offseason, I made the argument that Roberts could be an affordable option for the Lions, should they feel it was necessary to save some cash for the starting nickelback position. Instead, the Lions will have to find a replacement somewhere else. Earlier this offseason, they appeared to have interest in free agent K’Waun Williams, but he is reportedly re-signing with the 49ers.