Raiders CB Nate Hobbs Poised for Bounce Back Season
The Las Vegas Raiders’ secondary play last season was lackluster in many areas, as the team was third-worst in the NFL in opponent completion percentage, fourth-worst in total yards allowed, and worst in the league in interceptions.
That’s why General Manager Dave Ziegler upgraded the secondary through free agency and the draft. He signed Philadelphia Eagles free agent safety Marcus Epps and drafted Maryland cornerback Jakorian Bennett and Georgia safety Christopher Smith II.
However, a young cornerback was on the team already and had what could be considered a sophomore slump. Nate Hobbs was not the player he was in his rookie season in 2022 in his first year with Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham.
Hobbs, a fifth-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Illinois, allowed a completion percentage of 73 percent when targeted last season, for 559 yards, according to Pro Football Focus. This was down from his rookie season, where he allowed only 384 yards.
Hobbs showed talent his rookie season, but when he took on a bigger role in Las Vegas last season, he struggled to handle the opposing team’s top receiver. This season, Hobbs has help from Epps and Brandon Facyson, veterans who can take that pressure off of him.
With the talent added around Nate Hobbs in the secondary, the Raiders have a chance to not only improve that unit as a whole, but Hobbs himself will get a chance to bounce back to the play of his rookie season.
Here is a complete list of every 2023 Raiders draft pick and links to more information about them:
Round 1 No. 7 overall pick: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech
Round 2 No. 35 overall pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
Round 3 No. 70 overall: Byron Young, DT, Alabama
Round 3 No. 100 overall: Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati
Round 4 No. 104 overall: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland
Round 4 No. 135 overall: Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue
Round 5 No. 170 overall: Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia
Round 6 No. 203 overall: Amari Burney, LB, Florida
Round 7 No. 231 overall: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State
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