Raiders 2025: Nate Hobbs likely to cash in

Las Vegas can ill afford to let the productive slot cornerback walk in free agency

Homegrown talent that become one of the best at their position group has become a rarity for the Silver & Black.

A late-round gem is even more scarce these days in the desert.

Hence why the Las Vegas Raiders should make every attempt to keep cornerback Nate Hobbs in the fold. Slated to hit unrestricted free agency in March (along with other key defensive cogs like middle linebacker Robert Spillane and safety Tre’von Moehrig) due to his rookie deal expiring without a contract extension, the 25-year-old blossomed into one of the top slot defenders in the league in his four seasons in Las Vegas.

And with more offenses spreading defenses out, a the nickel alignment with three cornerbacks out there has become a base defense in the NFL.

During his final day in the Raiders locker room as players packed up to head into the offseason, Hobbs expressed a desire to return to the fold.

It’ll be intriguing to see if the eventual decision makers in Las Vegas feel the same. But it’s difficult to envision the future head coach and general manger allowing Hobbs to walk without making an offer.

Foundational types that arrive on the back end of the draft don’t grow on trees — especially for an organization like the Raiders.

Taken with in the fifth round (167th overall pick) of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Illinois, the purely outside/boundary cornerback in college made the transition inside and quickly established himself as a capable and productive slot defender. Hobbs may be light on career interceptions (just three in four years), but he’s shown to be sticky in coverage along with being an aggressive run defender and, more importantly, tackler.

According to Pro Football Reference, Hobbs was targeted 51 times this past season allowing 33 receptions (64.7 percent completion rate) for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback’s throwing his way sported an 87.2 rating. Hobbs also finished with 49 total tackles (33 solo) with two stops for loss, one interception, five pass deflections, and one quarterback hit.

The biggest knock on Hobbs’ career thus far is availability. He’s been bitten by the injury bug and has missed games in each of his four season in the league thus far (rookie year he missed a game landing on the COVID-19 list). Like his 2022 season, Hobbs only played in 11 games this season — the lowest of his career. He played in 16 games his rookie season and 13 in 2023. Due to injuries, the 6-foot, 195-pound corner started only seven games this past year — the lowest number since his rookie season (nine starts).

Availability — or lack of — may play part into the contract Hobbs eventually lands. And that’s with Las Vegas or another team. The Raiders will have the second most cap space this offseason as Over The Cap’s latest numbers project the team to have over $92.5 million in cap space ($29.27-plus million in dead cap) to play with.

The New England Patriots have the most at over $120.5 million, for context.

As mentioned above, Hobbs is part one of 16 total Raiders slated to hit unrestricted free agency. Las Vegas has a total of 27 free agents but six are restricted and five are exclusive rights free agents, along with the 16 unrestricted types. Meaning the cap space can diminish quickly when the Raiders decide to keep in-house free agents in the fold.

Hobbs is going to cash in this offseason, but by how much?

There’s a going-rate barometer out there as a trio of talented slot cornerbacks each earned contract extensions this past offseason: The Buffalo Bills’ Taron Johnson, the New York Jets’ Michael Carter II, and the Indianapolis Colts’ Kenny Moore.

Johnson and Carter inked similar three-year, $30.75 million contracts ($10.25 million per year average) with their respective teams. The only difference between the two was the guarantee upon signing with Johnson getting $17.825 million and Carter landing $13.616 million. The duo are the highest paid slot corners in the league, by the way.

Moore signed a three-year, $30 million extension ($10 million per year average) with $16 million guaranteed at signing.

Perhaps the Carter deal makes the most sense as a starting point or eventual deal Hobbs lands? Both cornerbacks are from the same 2021 draft class with Carter being taken by the Jets with the 154th overall pick in the same round and is of similar age at 25.