BREAKING: Raiders' $3
The Las Vegas Raiders suffered a demoralizing 27-20 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8. Antonio Pierce’s squad remained competitive for most of the day but couldn’t finish the job and are now 2-6 on the year.
With the Raiders’ season dead in the water, the team is headed for a much-needed rebuild in the offseason. Las Vegas has avoided a complete roster overhaul over the last few years, believing they could compete for a playoff spot in the AFC.
A couple of mediocre campaigns in 2022 and 2023, coupled with a 2-6 start to 2024, should propel the team to deviate from that strategy and finally enter a full-scale rebuild.
Though the draft will be the primary focus for general manager Tom Telesco this offseason, the Raiders have a few key players set to hit free agency in 2025, particularly cornerback Nate Hobbs. The former fifth-round pick has been a consistent starter for the team since arriving in 2021 and will seek a lucrative contract on the open market.
Hobbs will be a hot commodity on the market, and Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department believes the young corner could leave Las Vegas for the Dallas Cowboys in the offseason.
Jourdan Lewis is playing well in 2024 and has proven to be a valuable nickel corner over the years. However, he’s entering the final year of his contract and turns 30 in August, so the front office might opt to let him walk and sign someone younger.
Hobbs doesn’t turn 26 until June and has proven to be a valuable slot defender for the Raiders. He’s physical and not afraid to stick his nose in the running game, and he converges on receivers quickly to limit yards after the catch and rack up stops against the passing game.
Losing Hobbs would leave a gaping hole in the Raiders’ secondary, as the 25-year-old’s versatility and impact would be tough to replace. Las Vegas should try to retain Hobbs, but the Cowboys would be an intriguing landing spot for the experienced corner.
Despite boasting a ton of talent in the backend, injuries and underwhelming performance have caused Dallas to have one of the worst pass defenses in football, surrendering 372.6 passing yards per game, which ranks within the bottom ten in the NFL.
Hobbs isn’t a perfect player and has struggled a bit in 2024, allowing three touchdowns and a 100.2 passer rating when targeted, but the former Illinois standout is one of the most reliable slot corners in football and would be a seamless fit in Mike Zimmer’s defense.