Recent decisions by the Green Bay Packers have triggered discussions regarding their roster management, particularly in the secondary. The team’s $48 million investment in free agent Nate Hobbs is under scrutiny as performance issues resurface.
Packers Secondary Struggles
Despite the Packers’ confidence in Hobbs, evidence shows that his best performance comes from slot coverage. This realization echoes the findings of the Las Vegas Raiders, who previously faced similar issues with Hobbs.
Current Roster Dynamics
- Nate Hobbs: $48 million free-agent cornerback struggling on the boundary.
- Javon Bullard: Second-year player excelling in the slot position, effectively sealing his starting role.
- Carrington Valentine: A seventh-round pick outperforming Hobbs, yet not receiving sufficient playing time.
The Packers currently face a dilemma: they can either let Hobbs play on the boundary or bench him, excluding Valentine from the lineup. This choice may not be serving the team’s best interests, especially as Valentine has demonstrated superior performance metrics. He ranks 16th in Pro Football Focus’ coverage grade, allowing a low completion percentage of 56.3%, with only 16 targets over 131 coverage snaps.
Statistics Reveal a Pattern
Hobbs, on the other hand, sits much lower in the rankings, positioned at 119th. He has allowed 13 receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns across five games, registering a passer rating against him of 127.1. Over the past three games, his targets have surged, yielding an alarming 173 yards, indicating a growing lack of trust from opposing quarterbacks.
Player Comparisons and Future Outlook
The stark contrast between Hobbs and Valentine highlights the Packers’ ongoing challenges. In Week 1, a one-handed catch by Isaac TeSlaa was the only successful completion against Valentine, while in subsequent games, he effectively contained notable players like Terry McLaurin. The consistency of performance suggests a need for change in the Packers’ secondary alignment.
Over 25 slot snaps this season, Hobbs has not allowed a single catch. However, due to Bullard’s impressive performance, the Packers stick with Hobbs in a challenging position. The optimal strategy may involve reconfiguring the secondary, placing Valentine and Keisean Nixon on the boundary, with Hobbs or Bullard managing the slot. This adjustment could elevate the team’s overall performance.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Packers might seek reinforcements. However, prioritizing Valentine as a full-time starter should take precedence if they aim to strengthen their secondary.
