NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with cornerback Darryl Roberts.
Roberts was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft (pick No. 247 overall) but spent his rookie season on injured reserve, was released at training camp cutdowns in 2016, never playing an NFL snap for them.
After his release, Roberts was swept up by the New York Jets who added him to their active roster. He would spend the next four seasons with the Jets, earning a starting role in 2018, then a 3-year $18 million contract extension in the 2019 offseason, and was released just over 10 days ago.
He has played in 56 NFL games, starting 26, is 6-0 tall with 4.38 speed and the range to play corner and safety. Roberts earned above-average grades across the board from Pro Football Focus in 2017 and 2018 but took a step back in 2019.
Roberts is experienced enough to challenge Amani Oruwariye to start opposite Desmond Trufant and is likely viewed as an insurance option if the Lions are unable to land a top-tier cornerback in this draft class. The addition of Roberts should not keep the Lions from taking Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah at the top of the first round.
