The Washington Football Team have signed veteran cornerback Darryl Roberts, the team announced Friday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Roberts played last season with the Detroit Lions. He was a seventh-round draft pick of the New England Patriots in 2015. However, he found his footing with the New York Jets, playing four seasons there.
Roberts, 30, has appeared in 67 games, including 31 starts, during his five-year career. Last season in Detroit, he got off to a hot start, but fizzled as the season progressed, according to Pro Football Focus.
Roberts has four career interceptions. He played 469 snaps, equivalent to 42% of the Lions’ defensive snaps.
Washington is need of depth at cornerback, particularly at nickel. Washington signed William Jackson III to a four-year deal last week, pairing for the former Cincinnati Bengal with Kendall Fuller. However, they lost Ronald Darby (Denver) and Fabian Moreau (Atlanta) in free agency.
At 6-feet and 4.36 speed, Roberts is expected to compete with Jimmy Moreland for snaps at nickelback. Last season, Washington used Moreland rookie safety Kamren Curl in the nickel, but Curl is slated to start at free safety in 2021.
The addition of Roberts gives Washington defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio more flexibility with his rotation at corner.
