Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Young Raiders secondary tested during training camp with more to prove

2022 July 30: Raiders Training Camp

Steve Marcus/AP

Las Vegas Raiders corner back Nate Hobbs talks with reporters during NFL football training camp Saturday, July 30, 2022, in Henderson, Nev.

Ask Nate Hobbs who’s winning the battle between the Raiders’ wide receivers and defensive backs, and he’ll tell you check the tape.

Experience may be lacking in the Las Vegas cornerbacks room. Poise, however, is not on the shortcoming.

“I’ll let you be the judge,” said a laughing Hobbs.

Coming into Year 2 after a solid rookie campaign, Hobbs might be perceived as the leader of the cornerback group at 23 years old. Given the remaining carryovers from last year’s team, it’s not too far of a reach to think that.

Trying to determine who is the star of a group that had a combined six interceptions last season — one each by four different corners — might be paramount to the Raiders’ defensive value in 2022.

“Got a new staff, got new things to learn, you’ve got to prove yourself again,” said Hobbs as he enters his first season under new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. “What I live for, and what my teammates live for, we’ve got a headstrong team.”

Determining the success of the Raiders’ defense starts and ends with the pass rush. How well Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones can get to the quarterback is going to take the pressure off the young secondary.

That doesn’t mean the young Raiders secondary lacks confidence. The unit took a major blow this offseason by losing veteran No. 1 corner Casey Hayward (signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons).

The Raiders addressed that need by acquiring promising corner Rock Ya-Sin from the Indianapolis Colts for Yannick Ngakoue. The former second-round pick from 2019 has two interceptions in three seasons, but was the fifth-highest graded corner in man coverage last season, according to Pro Football Focus.

“I think Rock is very underrated. I think Rock is one of the most competitive guys I’ve ever met,” Hobbs said. “I feel like his routine is unmatched. He puts in the work on and off the field.”

What the trio of Trayvon Mullen Jr., Ya-Sin and Hobbs can become is encouraging for the future, but for a team trying to get back to the playoffs for a second straight season, the Raiders will need that group to provide immediate impact.

Having Davante Adams, Hunter Renfrow and Darren Waller opposite them isn’t a bad way to be tested during training camp. And, in Hobbs’ eyes, having Derek Carr throwing at them has helped the secondary’s growth, as well.

“Derek is a top-tier quarterback,” Hobbs said. “It’s just a blessing and an honor to be able to go against somebody who’s that competitive and precise with his decision making and his accuracy. To see that and compete against that makes me better.”

Carr said he’s been impressed with the entire secondary, anchored by safety Johnathan Abram, and is excited to watch them during the season.”

“They’re really competitive. They’re making plays on some really good players. When they’re playing man coverage, it’s sticky,” Carr said. “That’s a credit to the coaches, the scheme, the players buying in to how they want to do things.

“They’re challenging me to make really tight throws, some tighter throws than in games. With the talent we have, they get beat here and there on certain things, but that’s not a knock on them.”

With the likelihood that Ya-Sin will occupy one of the outside spots, Hobbs — who was the primary slot corner last season — will get a chance to also play on the outside.

To him, it doesn’t matter where he plays because the mission is the same.

“I feel like we make each other better everyday,” Hobbs said. “I feel like it’s all love in that [DB] room. Everybody has a high motor, everybody wants everyone to win. We’ve all got a work ethic that is unmatched.”

Danny Webster can be reached at 702-259-8814 or [email protected]. Follow Danny on Twitter at twitter.com/DannyWebster21.