CB Nate Hobbs Signed In FA 2025

[tynimiller]

We signed a CB (will share thoughts when by computer) just got the text. 4 Years / $48M

Hobbs has had some up and down years for the Raiders for sure. Missed some games this last year due to injury.

His rookie year he looked other worldy good...has come down to reality and done well otherwise though too. NOT a CB1, but a starter level guy.

Contract Details now known:

4 yrs/$48M $16M SB (only guaranteed)

Year1 Hit is only $5.98M
Year 2 Hit is $13M could save $1M cutting
Year 3 hit is $14M could save $6M cutting
Year 4 hit is $14.7M and could save just shy of $11M by cutting

Essentially a two year deal for sure, and if he is playing starting level easily could let this play out all four years.

 

[Schultz]

Looks like 12 mill per year for 4 years.

 

[tynimiller]

Only $16M guaranteed, this contract is very light, especially after you get through two seasons I bet structure wise.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Hobbs is good in the slot. He has unbelievable quickness and burst. If he starts there, what happens to Bullard? I don't see him supplanting Xavier or Williams. Maybe Hafley thinks Hobbs is still a legitimate outside corner because It's way too early to relegate Bullard to a depth piece.

 

[DoURant]

Not a huge name CB signing, but only 16M guaranteed out of $48 is a pretty good job on Ball's part. PFF is fairly close to how Stokes graded out. He had 1 Int, and 3 PBU'S.... which is still 1 Int, and 3 PBU'S more than Stokes had last year. Only 25, and at 6ft 195 and had a RAS of 9.62, so he fits what they look for.

 

[El Guapo]

A good summary of the guy here: https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/news/nate-hobbs-green-bay-packers-free-agency

- I like that he is younger, at 26 years old
- I like that they call him a "key defender" for the Raiders
- I like that they say he is a locker room leader
- I like that they say his completion-against percentage has dropped each season
- I like that they say while he is a good slot corner, he can also play outside

- I don't like that they say he is often injured - missing 16 games over the last three seasons (avg of 5.3 per season)
- It feels like we replaced oft-injury Jaire Alexander with another oft-injured player that wasn't as elite as Jaire

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It feels like we replaced oft-injury Jaire Alexander with another oft-injured player that wasn't as elite as Jaire

But at a lot lower price. Seems like CB's are getting nicked up a lot around the league. Would like to know the stats on that.

Was interesting to see where he lined up in 2024 and prior.

In 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, Hobbs played 304 snaps in the slot, 104 at corner and 116 in the box. In 2023, he played 504 snaps in the slot, 111 at corner and 140 in the box. In 2021, he played 748 snaps in the slot, 26 at corner and 97 in the box. However, in 2022, he played 500 snaps at corner and 106 in the slot.

 

[Sanguine camper]

A good summary of the guy here: https://www.si.com/nfl/raiders/news/nate-hobbs-green-bay-packers-free-agency

- I like that he is younger, at 26 years old
- I like that they call him a "key defender" for the Raiders
- I like that they say he is a locker room leader
- I like that they say his completion-against percentage has dropped each season
- I like that they say while he is a good slot corner, he can also play outside

- I don't like that they say he is often injured - missing 16 games over the last three seasons (avg of 5.3 per season)
- It feels like we replaced oft-injury Jaire Alexander with another oft-injured player that wasn't as elite as Jaire

It would be great if Jaire was only out 5.3 games per season. That's about how many he plays.

 

[El Guapo]

It would be great if Jaire was only out 5.3 games per season. That's about how many he plays.

Agreed. When he's playing he is a game changer.

 

[lambeaulambo]

Can we find a cb that isnt out more?

 

[Sunshinepacker]

But at a lot lower price. Seems like CB's are getting nicked up a lot around the league. Would like to know the stats on that.

Was interesting to see where he lined up in 2024 and prior.

In 2024, according to Pro Football Focus, Hobbs played 304 snaps in the slot, 104 at corner and 116 in the box. In 2023, he played 504 snaps in the slot, 111 at corner and 140 in the box. In 2021, he played 748 snaps in the slot, 26 at corner and 97 in the box. However, in 2022, he played 500 snaps at corner and 106 in the slot.

You don’t get any points on the field for cost efficiency. Not a huge signing salary wise, but i am concerned that he has most often played at Bullard’s best position.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You don’t get any points on the field for cost efficiency. Not a huge signing salary wise, but i am concerned that he has most often played at Bullard’s best position.

I think Gute and the Packers prefer versatile players and Hobbs fits that mold. Always nice to be able to juggle players into different positions, as injuries set in.

 

[Wraith09]

I don’t like the Nate Hobbs pickup. He may have a variety of production, but he looks more like a box safety in his stats than a cover guy. Maybe that’s what they’re looking for. A lot of money for someone who can’t cover effectively. The only value I can see is they don’t have to use as many draft picks on new corners. We’ll find out in seven weeks.

 

[Wraith09]

It would be great if Jaire was only out 5.3 games per season. That's about how many he plays.

I don’t think he’s meant to replace Jaire. There’s no comparison. With three corners and a safety as free agents, they may have to replace multiple players. The money seems too high, but time will tell.

 

[Thirteen Below]

I have read in a couple of places that he had his best year when they ran a predominantly cover 3 scheme, which (as it happens) Hafley really likes. Could be one reason we chose Hobbs.

I hope that next year, we draft Calvin Simpson-Hunt, the cornerback from Ohio State. It's just too perfect to pass up...

 

[tynimiller]

I don’t think he’s meant to replace Jaire. There’s no comparison. With three corners and a safety as free agents, they may have to replace multiple players. The money seems too high, but time will tell.

The deal only has reportedly $14M guaranteed which will be through signing bonus. Essentially this could be structured even in a one year sense with a savings after that to part ways, but highly likely a two year deal.

 

[Dantés]

The defensive staff inherited Nixon, who was viewed as a slot corner only, and moved him outside where he ended up being better. Hobbs is similar in profile-- has the physical profile to play outside but has been relegated to the slot. They clearly see similar traits in him.

My guess in regards to his tackling woes is that it's largely a function of playing inside in the muck all the time. That's a hard knock life in there. I bet a lot of those issues clean up on the outside.

As far as usage, I would guess that he's the slot when they're using nickel or dime on clear passing downs, but that Bullard does most of their slot work in big nickel on running downs.

As far as the money goes, the Packers choose to pay a little bit higher AAV in order to have team options on the end of the deal.

 

[Schultz]

I like the 2nd part of Dantes post as far as who will play in the slot and when. As far as the 1st part I thought someone posted numbers that show Hobbs is much better in coverage in the slot than outside.

 

[Dantés]

I like the 2nd part of Dantes post as far as who will play in the slot and when. As far as the 1st part I thought someone posted numbers that show Hobbs is much better in coverage in the slot than outside.

He was in Vegas. That doesn't mean it will hold true in Green Bay.

 

[Schultz]

So, you are saying he won't gamble as much on plays this year?

 

[lambeaulambo]

I do not care for his tackling history. Fundamentals please.

 

[tynimiller]

Contract Details now known:

4 yrs/$48M $16M SB (only guaranteed)

Year1 Hit is only $5.98M
Year 2 Hit is $13M could save $1M cutting
Year 3 hit is $14M could save $6M cutting
Year 4 hit is $14.7M and could save just shy of $11M by cutting

Essentially a two year deal for sure, and if he is playing starting level easily could let this play out all four years.

 

[AmishMafia]

Like the pickup, but had other preferences. I am worried about his injury history, but that is a function of his aggressive tackling. Agressive, not apparently effective.

He has some excellent tools to work with so I am thinking he will do better than most expect. That our scheme will be more condusive to his skill set. That our coaches and scouts believe they can better utilize his skill to a greater advantage. I have a lot of faith in Hafley and his staff.

I dont believe we are done adding to the CB room and expect some more help in the draft. We just have more flexibility in when we take someone because it isn't a dire need anymore. Dobbs and Valentine should be effective and with Mixon pitching in we should be okay at the position. A round 2-4 pick of a solid developmental guy would be fine.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Contract Details now known:

4 yrs/$48M $16M SB (only guaranteed)

Year1 Hit is only $5.98M
Year 2 Hit is $13M could save $1M cutting
Year 3 hit is $14M could save $6M cutting
Year 4 hit is $14.7M and could save just shy of $11M by cutting

Essentially a two year deal for sure, and if he is playing starting level easily could let this play out all four years.

For me as a fan, all I really care about is the cap hit. Both the yearly and obviously, the dead cap. I get a kick out of people saying "well this player is only being paid $5 M, that's a bargain". Dig deeper because that number probably means absolutely nothing.

Another interesting note on Hobbs, he has ZERO penalties in 2024.

 

[gopkrs]

We sort of traded Stokes for Hobbs. Paying a bit more money. I'm totally happy with that.