The Raiders have a wide-open competition at slot cornerback right now. With Nevin Lawson suspended for the first two weeks of the season, the job is completely up for grabs.
The two players that are competing for Week 1 snaps with Lawson out are Amik Robertson and Nate Hobbs. Robertson is a fourth-round pick from the 2020 draft who should have the inside track for the job given his experience and draft pedigree. But it’s Hobbs who appears to be winning that job.
After the team’s first preseason game, head coach Jon Gruden proclaimed that Hobbs might be the team’s opening day starter, according to Raiders Wire’s own Levi Damien:
Jon Gruden said Nate Hobbs “might be the opening day starter for us” #Raiders
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) August 15, 2021
Hobbs had a strong preseason performance, recording an eight-yard sack. He’s got the size, speed and toughness needed to play the position and through training camp so far, he’s been the most impressive slot cornerback.
While the competition isn’t over, it does appear that Hobbs is in the lead. We shall see how that will play out over the next few weeks and into the season as Gus Bradley searches for his slot cornerback of the future.
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