The Green Bay Packers reached an agreement with former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs on day one of the NFL legal tampering period. Hobbs will give the Packers more talent and depth at the cornerback position especially if Jaire Alexander does not return in 2025. In four years with the Raiders, the former fifth round pick has three career interceptions, three sacks and broke up 19 passes. Hobbs is also young which is something the Packers prefer for their free agents. He’ll turn 26 in June. Here are 10 things you may not know about new Packers cornerback, Nate Hobbs.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Packers CB Nate Hobbs, Number One: He Started as a Freshman in College
Hobbs attended the University of Illinois. He became a starter in his freshman year. He played in all 12 games for the Illini and started 10 of them. Hobbs played well and was named to the BTN.com All-Freshman team.
As a freshman, he also returned kicks and punts in college.
Second Thing: He Played Against a Packers Assistant Coach in College
Hobbs spent four seasons at Illinois including the 2019 season. During that year, he faced the Ohio State Buckeyes who featured Jeff Hafley as their co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Hafley has to be familiar with Hobbs from his tenure at Ohio State and Hobbs’ time at Illinois.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Packers CB Nate Hobbs, Number Three: His First Career Interception
Hobbs made his first career NFL interception on December 5, 2021, in a game against the Washington Football Team. He intercepted Taylor Heinicke midway through the fourth quarter. The interception set up a field goal by the Raiders Daniel Carlson, brother of former Packers kicker Anders Carlson. The Raiders lost the game 17-15.
Fourth Thing: Double Digit Tackles
Hobbs made 10 or more tackles five times in his four seasons with the Raiders. His career-high was a 12-tackle effort which included two tackles for loss. It came on September 10, 2023, in a 17-16 Raiders win over the Denver Broncos in Denver. He is considered a good tackler for a cornerback.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Packers CB Nate Hobbs, Number Five: He Was a Multi-Sport Athlete
Hobbs attended Louisville Male High School in Kentucky and was regarded as a three-star recruit by Scout.com. In addition to his success at football, Hobbs lettered in track and field in high school.
Sixth Thing: Injury History
Hobbs has missed time due to injuries during his four NFL seasons. He was placed on the Covid-reserve list as a rookie in 2021.
The following season, he missed six games after suffering a broken hand.
An ankle injury cost him four games in 2023.
Ten Things You May Not Know About Packers CB Nate Hobbs, Number Seven, He Is Versatile
The Packers prefer players who can play more than one position and Hobbs fits that mold. He has excelled in the slot and can also play on the boundary.
According to Pro Football Focus, he graded out highest as a rookie in 2021 when he allowed less than 400 yards receiving all season.
Eighth Thing: Hobbs Has Played with Two Present Packers in the NFL
During his four seasons with the Raiders, Hobbs played with fellow cornerback Keisean Nixon and running back Josh Jacobs.
Some other former Packers he played with include safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, cornerback Casey Hayward, defensive back Dallin Leavitt, wideout Davante Adams, linebacker Blake Martinez, and guard Greg Van Roten.
Ten Things You May Not Now About Packers CB Nate Hobbs, Number Nine: He Had a High RAS
The Packers love to add outstanding athletes to their roster and when drafting players, one thing they value is relative athletic score or RAS.
Hobbs scored exceptionally well with a 4.48 40-yard dash time and an overall RAS of 9.62. That puts him in the 96th percentile of any comparable NFL player at his position.
Tenth Thing: A Position Battle Awaits
It’s still early in the offseason, but Hobbs gives the Packers depth in the secondary and sets up a potential position battle in training camp. Hobbs’ best position is in the slot. He will compete with second-year man Javon Bullard and possibly Nixon for that spot with the other two fighting for reps on the boundary.
With the expected departure of Alexander and Eric Stokes, the Packers at least have more experienced depth at cornerback after the addition of Hobbs.
Follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
Click here for more great Packers coverage
Check out our YouTube channel here
