As defensive coordinator Patrick Graham continues to modernize his scheme within the landscape of football, Nate Hobbs' responsibilities on the field have also increased. Going into his fourth season with the Raiders, he'll be depended on to be the "star" within the secondary.
The star cornerback role, which players like All-Pro Jalen Ramsay have popularized, combines the duties of a nickel back and a weak side linebacker. The type of player who can drop back in coverage but also blitz the quarterback, stop the run or cover the flat when needed. Considering Hobbs' physical and athletic makeup, it's a position where he can excel.
He's proven himself as a great open field tacklers, compiling 86 total tackles in 2023 – the most of any defensive back on the Raiders. Even more impressive considering he missed four games. The cornerback has also totaled three sacks and 12 tackles for loss in his career.
According to cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr., Hobbs' evolving role within the secondary could be extremely imperative for the 2024 campaign.
"Nate is the key that unlocks our defense," said Manning, who played six seasons in the NFL. "That nickel spot is very special, that star spot is very special. Being able to play inside and outside is a unique characteristic to have. ... That's what Nate Hobbs is, that's what the star position has become. He's the key to unlock our defense and he's great at it.
"He can continue to ascend, and with his growth, our defense grows. Our defense grows and it allows PG [Patrick Graham], our coordinator, to call certain things because he can trust that Nate can get it done and get it communicated to everybody and we can work well together."
As for Hobbs, the position he finds himself in is not one he takes lightly. The 2021 fifth-round pick carved out a starting role for himself as a rookie and hasn't looked back. He now sees his primary role in Year 4 as being "a difference maker."
"There are a lot of difference makers on this team, but if I play at a high level – and this is what people tell me – if I play at a high level, people tend to follow," Hobbs said. "I tend to ignite the defense, and it's not me saying that, I try to come out there and do the best I can every day for the team. So, other people telling me that – I just take that personal. I feel like we've got a whole bunch of me's on the defense. ... I'm just trying to do my part."
On his path to becoming the ultimate difference maker within the secondary, complacency has no place in Hobbs' mantra. He been working harder than ever in the film room to become more instinctual and believes his work in the classroom will take him to the next level.
"On the field, I feel like I'm pretty good, but I want to take that next step into elite," Hobbs said. "Being able to know when a quarterback is trying to manipulate me, knowing exactly where I am on the field, really being a step ahead. All the great defensive players, they're always like, 'How did he know that? How did he know that ball was going there?'
"I've always been a competitor. I've always been a person that wanted to just be better. I felt like I was never satisfied with playing good or being good. I could be better."
In collaboration with the Las Vegas Raiders assistant general manager, Champ Kelly, the Raiders hosted C.H.A.M.P. Camp, a weekend event for athletes to develop their skills on and off the field.
Las Vegas Raiders director of football development Myles Hayes speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes warm up during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes warm up during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders strength and conditioning intern Daniel Jameson warms up with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders strength and conditioning assistant D'Anthony Batiste warms up with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of college scouting Brandon Yeargan works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes huddle during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders player personnel assistants Jalun Morris and Kyrell Michael work with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Matt Feeney works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders game manager Matt Sheldon works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Carnell Williams works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerbacks coach Ricky Manning Jr. works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior offensive assistant Joe Philbin works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Carter Bradley (14) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders safety Phalen Sanford (42) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Jackson Powers-Johnson (70) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Woo Governor (44) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior offensive assistant Joe Philbin speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Matthew Butler (91) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) poses for a photo with an athlete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Clark Barrington (64) works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant special teams coach Kade Rannings works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders personnel coordinator Curtis Knox II works with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant defensive backs coach Matt Feeney and assistant special teams coach Kade Rannings work with athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders nutrition assistant Zachary DeSimone speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders nutrition assistant JJ Beasley speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders game manager Matt Sheldon speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes enjoy Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders strength and conditioning assistant D'Anthony Batiste speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the first day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes warm up during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders personnel coordinator Curtis Knox II works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes work through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Carnell Williams works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
An athlete works through a drill during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders guard Clark Barrington (64) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Carnell Williams speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders assistant special teams coach Kade Rannings speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Amari Gainer (53) speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Noah Shannon (62) speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (76) speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Carnell Williams works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end TJ Franklin (57) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jeff Foreman (80) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle John Jenkins (95), defensive end TJ Franklin (57), defensive tackle Noah Shannon (62) and defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) speak with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan speaks with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior vice president of government and community relations Piper Overstreet-White speaks with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders senior vice president chief financial officer Michael Crome speaks with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Ron Stone Jr. (76) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tomari Fox (60) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders tackle Andrew Coker (73) works with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Athletes compete during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders director of scouting administration and assistant to the general manager John Barnett speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly poses for a photo with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly poses for a photo with athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Las Vegas Raiders Assistant General Manager Champ Kelly speaks to athletes during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Western High School players and coaches pose for a photo during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Basic High School players and coaches pose for a photo during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
Chaparral High School players and coaches pose for a photo during the second day of C.H.A.M.P. Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
