Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams: 3 things we learned in preseason Game No. 2

Aug 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams receiver TuTu Atwell (15) in the third quarter as Raiders aafety Dalin Leavett (32) looks on at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (39) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams receiver TuTu Atwell (15) in the third quarter as Raiders aafety Dalin Leavett (32) looks on at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (29) intercepts a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (29) intercepts a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the third quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams: 3 things we learned

Nate Hobbs is the real deal

Nate “The Great” Hobbs.  What a game from this young player, and what a steal of a pick for the Las Vegas Raiders.  All the way back in minicamp we heard really good things about Hobbs from teammates and coaches alike, that momentum carried over into training camp, and then the first two preseason games.

In week 1 against the Seahawks, Hobbs had a huge hit on quarterback Geno Smith, which looked like it was a forced fumble as well, and Raiders Twitter exploded.  In Game 2 on Saturday against the Rams, he may have cemented his starting spot as the slot cornerback.

Although his interception came on his first play playing the outside corner position, it doesn’t even matter, as Hobbs was everywhere on the field, even blocking field goal attempts.  Hobbs finished with four tackles, three of them solo, a tackle for a loss, an interception, and that blocked field goal.

Hobbs has clearly outplayed his competition this summer and should be the starting slot corner in Week 1 against Baltimore.