Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
The Las Vegas Raiders have less than a month to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft, and while the team has been busy in free agency, there is still a possibility they can draft support in the secondary.
There’s no way of hiding the flaws in the secondary, and there’s no denying that the Silver and Black will be looking to bring in long-term support at cornerback.
Whether the Raiders plan on bringing someone in the early rounds of the draft or later, the team finds itself in a position to draft a few cornerbacks in a loaded draft class next month.
Cornerback Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, TCU
“Hodges-Tomlinson is an undersized defensive back who has shown flashes of becoming a good slot defender at the next level, but the concerns with size and durability will loom over him in the pre-draft process,” NFL Draft Bible said of Hodges-Tomlinson.
He is the nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson, the NFL Hall of Famer, TCU icon and former divisional rival with the San Diego Chargers.
However, Hodges-Tomlinson is not a running back like his uncle; he lines up on the defensive side of the ball.At 5-8 and 178 pounds, Hodges-Tomlinson made a name for himself, by locking down receivers.
Last season, Hodges-Tomlinson finished with 50 tackles (40 solos), three interceptions, 18 passes defended, one forced fumble, and two tackles for losses.
According to Pro Football Focus, Hodges-Tomlinson allowed only a completion percentage of 34.6.
His productivity earned him First-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big 12, and was the recipient of the Thorpe Award — given to the best defensive back in college football, becoming the second Horned Frog (Tre'von Moehrig, 2020) to win the award within three years.
“[Hodges-Tomlinson] Stays patient in his backpedal, rarely bites hard when receivers try to sell on double moves. Plays physically in press coverage, which suits his best style of play. He can match speed with vertical receivers to keep them in his hip pocket throughout the longevity of their routes. Extremely physical at the catch point to disrupt receivers trying to haul passes in. Ability to get his head around without causing any penalties paired with his ball skills popped out as an elite part of his game,” Draft Bible added on Hodges-Tomlinson’s positive skill sets.
After the season was over, concerns about his athleticism rose. A great showing at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine shut any doubters. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash and impressed scout during the workout drills.
As for the Raiders, they can draft a feisty cornerback who doesn’t shy away from bigger, more physical receivers, and how nice would be to have LaDanian root for his nephew while wearing the Silver and Black.
The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, July 25 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this off season.
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