Amik Robertson making presence known at outside cornerback

Second-year player making progress

In one of the more under-the-radar stories of the Las Vegas Raiders’ training camp is the fact that young cornerback Amik Robertson has reinvented himself.

And it could keep him in Las Vegas.

Jon Gruden said the 2020 fourth-round pick is doing “pretty good” while being working on the outside in training camp and in the preseason. He made some decent plays against the Los Angeles Rams last week.

If Robertson performs well Sunday in the preseason finale Sunday at the San Francisco 49ers, it should be enough to keep on the 53-man roster. After the Raiders made several additions at cornerback this offseason, Robertson’s standing on the team was put into question.

Robertson struggled as a rookie and only played 35 defensive snaps. Getting Robertson in the fourth round was considered a coup for the Raiders. He was considered a natural NFL nickel but the Raiders and the hope was for him to take over as the starter in nickel in 2021 , especially with LaMarcus Joyner released in the offseason.

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Yet, the Raiders drafted cornerback Nate Hobbs in the fifth round this year and he and veteran Nevin Lawson overtook Robertson in the nickel chase in the offseason. Hobbs has been a preseason star and will likely be the starting nickel in 2021.

Gruden said Wednesday Robertson had a hard time adjusting to nickel in the NFL and was often caught up in an almost-linebacker role and dealing with massive offensive lineman.

Gruden said Robertson is “clearly at home” at outside linebacker. and that’s probably where is NFL future now lies. It’s questionable of Robertson could ever be a starter in the NFL and me may just be a backup for the Raiders. But, at least, he is giving himself another chance.