Heading into Year 4, the Raiders are pinning high hopes on Nate Hobbs. They've made some moves, bringing in Jack Jones, and the plan is to give Hobbs more time in the slot, where he really shined as a rookie.
Last year, Hobbs didn't perform poorly, but he hasn't quite hit the heights of his rookie season yet. Can he reclaim that level by returning to the slot position?
Pro Football Focus recently highlighted a bounce-back candidate for each team in the upcoming 2024 season, and for the Raiders, it's none other than Hobbs. They praised his stellar performance in 2021, where he boasted impressive overall and coverage grades, limiting yards allowed to under 400 for the entire season. However, his play dipped in the subsequent two years, possibly due to his increased playtime on the outside.
With uncertainties looming over the Raiders' secondary, the arrival of Jack Jones, who showed promise late last season, could free up Hobbs to dominate in the slot once again.
If Hobbs can recapture his 2021 form, the Raiders stand a chance at boasting one of the league's top defenses. He's a force to be reckoned with in the slot, but circumstances have kept him away from it in recent seasons. Keep an eye out for him to make a splash in the final year of his rookie deal.
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