The Green Bay Packers see cornerback Nate Hobbs -- who signed a four-year deal in free agency -- as a versatile defensive back who can play multiple spots, including on the perimeter at cornerback.
Hobbs played his best football with the Las Vegas Raiders in the slot, but both coach Matt LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst believe he has the skill set and play style to move outside and thrive as a perimeter cornerback in Jeff Hafley's defense.
"I know that a lot of people just view him as a nickel. Well, we think he can play on the outside and play on the perimeter," LaFleur said, via Packers.com. "I just love the guy's mentality. I love how he plays the game. He plays it the right way — he's tough, he's competitive, and he brings an edge."
Hobbs has played almost 1,800 career snaps in the slot, including over 800 snaps inside over the last two seasons. But he's also played over 700 snaps on the perimeter, and the Packers believe he has unlocked potential as a coverage player outside.
"We just really thought he’s a really versatile, all-around corner, can do everything," Gutekunst said. "We really like his ability to play on the outside, which he hasn’t done a ton of, but then the ability to move him inside and match different receivers and just his play style, I think, is one of the things that really stood out to all of us. Really, really excited to see what he’s going to do for us this year.”
Both LaFleur and Gutekunst specifically mentioned Hobbs' playstyle as a selling point, and examples of Hobbs playing physical and aggressive are all over his tape.
In terms of positioning, the Packers could use Hobbs as a matchup player who moves around based on personnel and package. In the base 4-3 defense, Hobbs could line up outside as a perimeter corner. In nickel or dime, when an extra defensive back or two enters the field, Hobbs could slide inside and play the slot. Mixing and matching with a versatile player like Hobbs, and the other versatile players in the secondary, could give Hafley an abundance of options down to down and week to week.
As a collegiate player at Illinois, Hobbs played primarily on the outside, lining up on the perimeter on over 2,000 career snaps. He was also excellent as a slot corner in Gus Bradley's Cover-3 base defense as a rookie.
Hobbs is a quick, explosive and instinctive corner who isn't afraid to play downhill and disrupt the run game, giving him an ideal skill set for handling the slot. His length (76.5" wingspan) and vertical leap (40.5") provide the physical traits for covering the bigger receivers typically lining up on the outside.
Injuries have been an issue at times for Hobbs, but it's possible playing fewer snaps in the slot -- where there is far more contact -- could help preserve his body over the course of a 17-game season.
The Packers also have recent experience cross-training corners to play both inside and out. Keisean Nixon, who was primarily a slot corner during his first few seasons in Green Bay, transitioned to the perimeter and played well down the stretch in 2024.
This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers confident CB Nate Hobbs can play on perimeter and match WRs in slot
