Report: Detroit Lions to sign NB Nickell Robey-Coleman

Lions adding depth to their secondary.

After visiting with the team earlier today, the Detroit Lions are signing nickel corner Nickell Robey-Coleman, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Robey-Coleman was one of 10 players we at Pride of Detroit identified as potential post-draft free agent additions the Lions should consider signing before the regular season, due to his familiarity and previous success with the team’s front office and coaching staff.

After a difficult season in Philadelphia in 2020, the market for Robey-Coleman was light, but he had his three most successful seasons (PFF grades of 74.5, 79.8, and 80.5) the three years prior when he was in Los Angeles with the Rams and coached by Lions defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant.

With offseason free-agent additions CB Quinton Dunbar and NB Corn Elder both currently unavailable, the Lions needed some veteran depth in the secondary. Dunbar has been out with a personal matter, while Elder was injured last week and has yet to practice since last Friday. Neither have a timetable to return at this time.

Mike Ford looks locked into the starting nickel spot right now, but if Elder is out for an extended period of time, Robey-Coleman could challenge immediately for the reserve job and potentially the team’s DIME option.

The Lions have yet to confirm the signing, and with the roster currently at 90 players, there will need to be a corresponding move to remove a player from their roster in order to make room for Robey-Coleman.