JUST IN: Packers Make NFL Free Agency Splash To Acquire a Versatile Elite Defender From Raiders To a Massive 3- Years Contract

Bullard was targeted 57 times last season, allowing 48 receptions for 487 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Opposing quarterbacks had a 119.8 passer rating when targeting his coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. That’s in comparison to Hobbs, who allowed a 67.4 completion percentage for 280 yards, three touchdowns, one interception and three pass break-ups for a 96.3 opposing passer rating.

If Bullard can’t beat out Hobbs for the job inside—if there even is a competition this summer—then it’s hard to see where exactly he fits in the secondary. The Packers already like their safety tandem of Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams, so that isn’t changing anytime soon.

 

Whether it’s at nickelback on the outside, the Packers believe that Hobbs has the length and agility to perform well at either position. He’s just south of six-feet tall at 196 pounds with a 31.5-inch arm length. There won’t be any second-guessing about whether or not he can elevate and contest the football. As things stand right now and assuming Alexander will venture elsewhere at some point in the near future, Hobbs would be starting opposite Keisean Nixon at cornerback.

Hobbs, who turns 26 in June, has been mostly dependable throughout his career. He’s missed four games in each of the past two seasons with an ankle injury, but the Packers shouldn’t face any durability concerns with him. If you want a testament to the kind of player the Packers will be adding to their roster when the official free-agency period opens up on Wednesday, you can look no further than his rookie season. Before even playing a down, tests revealed that Hobbs sustained a torn labrum prior to the season.

The Raiders’ medical staff gave him the option to undergo surgery, which would’ve shut him down for the entirety of his 2021 rookie campaign. Rather than go under the knife, Hobbs played through the year with the injury and appeared in 16 games with nine starts. He finished with an interception to go along with 74 tackles, which is his second-most in a single season to this day.

In addition to Hobbs, the Packers also signed Aaron Banks to a four-year deal worth $77 million dollars. He’s projected to enter the season as their starting left guard, which would bump Elgton Jenkins inside to center. Banks has been the San Francisco 49ers’ starting left guard for the past three seasons.