What is a Successful Season for Nate Hobbs?

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs is looking to break through in his third season with the team.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs is entering his third season with the team.

Drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Hobbs had an impressive rookie season. His 2022 was much different, as he dealt with injury and a regression in play.

Now, in 2023, Hobbs is looking to bounce back from a rough sophomore campaign. With a few new additions and potential upgrades in the secondary and another year in Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham’s system, Hobbs is in a good position to do that.

So what would be considered a successful season for Hobbs? First and foremost, health is the most important element. He missed six games in 2022 because of a broken hand and was visibly not the same player when he returned. He could not use his hands the same way he usually does, and his overall rhythm looked off.

With his hand healed, Hobbs is looking to regain form and potentially rediscover some of the play he displayed in his rookie season. If he can do that, the Raiders will have one of their better defensive players at full strength.

Another important element of Hobbs’ success is finding a defined role within the defense. He has bounced back and forth between being an outside corner and a slot corner. He rarely played in the slot in college at Illinois, but thrived there his rookie season.

The slot might be Hobbs’ most consistent role in 2023. Duke Shelley looks to take over one of the open outside cornerback positions, and while there is another still open, Hobbs might end up playing primarily in the nickel. Playing a majority of snaps in this spot may produce consistency in year three for Hobbs.

Finally, improved ball production and statistical improvement will be prevalent in a successful season for Hobbs. The better the numbers look, the better chances of earning a big contract.

To this point in his career, Hobbs has recorded 146 total tackles, six tackles for losses, two sacks, an interception and seven passes defended.

A fully healthy season will only mean more statistical production, which is often pointed to when determining how successful a player’s season was. Upping his production even more should mean Hobbs walked away from 2023 satisfied.

The Las Vegas Raiders open training camp for the entire team on July 25, 2023.

The Silver and Black open the preseason by hosting the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 4 p.m. EDT/1 p.m. PDT.

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