Las Vegas Raiders offseason acquisitions that are paying dividends in 2021
By CJ Errickson
Las Vegas Raiders offseason acquisitions that are paying dividends in 2021
Additions to the defensive backfield
Casey Hayward Jr. – cornerback
The Raiders elected to bring in veteran cornerback Casey Hayward this past offseason, and while he wasn’t on the team’s first wave of free-agent signings, he has been one of the most important ones to date. Hayward has proven to be one of the NFL’s top cover corners this season, and he has been a factor in the development of the following rookie on this list.
Nate Hobbs – nickel cornerback
The Silver and Black selected cornerback Nate Hobbs in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Some pundits believed that he would only be a special team player, however, he won the starting nickel cornerback role in Week 1 of the regular season.
Since then, Hobbs has proven to be a physical force. As he has shown a willingness and promise not just in run support but in coverage as well. Outside of Maxx Crosby, he has been the best value draft selection for Las Vegas since another fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft named Hunter Renfrow.
Trevon Moehrig – free safety
You may not hear Raiders’ second-round pick Trevon Moehrig’s name often. But, when you put on the film, he is doing precisely what he is supposed to do as a deep third safety – not allow the big play. As a result, Moehrig’s sound play of keeping the action in front of him has enabled the Raider defense to rank top three in the NFL in net yards per passing attempt (5.6) allowed.
So, while he may seem invisible on the stat line, his importance and range on the back-end should not go unnoticed.