One of the best developments this season for the Raiders has been the play of the secondary. Casey Hayward Jr. has been a revelation and has been one of the best defensive backs in the league this year. They’ve also gotten solid play from rookie safety Trevon Moehrig and veteran Johnathan Abram.
But one of the biggest reasons why the pass defense has been so improved is due to the play of rookie cornerback Nate Hobbs. He’s started every game in the slot this season and has been one of the league’s best cornerbacks.
In a recent article by Pro Football Focus, they ranked the 10-highest graded Day 3 picks from the 2021 NFL draft. Not surprisingly, Hobbs made the list and came in at No. 2, only behind running back Khalil Herbert. Here is what the site had to say about the fifth-round pick:
“The most impressive of all Day 3 players, in my opinion, has been Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs. That’s because he fell to Pick No. 168 for no particular reason other than evaluation. It’s an evaluation he’s proven incorrect since Day 1. He’s been one of the NFL’s best slot corners this season, and an all-around one at that. He’s earned an 80.9 run-defense grade to go along with a 75.1 mark in coverage.”
Hobbs is a fantastic tackler and is incredibly tough, which are both qualities that are needed to thrive from the slot. He will surrender some yards but doesn’t allow small plays to turn into bigger ones. It sounds so simple, but that’s the job of a slot cornerback in today’s NFL.
With Hayward and Hobbs in the secondary, the Raiders have to be really excited about their secondary going forward. If Moehrig and Abram can continue to improve, this has a chance to be one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.
Needless to say, the selection of Hobbs has been a home run by the Raiders.
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