The Most Important Packers: No. 15 — Nate Hobbs

SportsMoneyThe Most Important Packers: No. 15 — Nate HobbsByRob Reischel, Contributor

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights

Rob Reischel is a Wisconsin-based reporter who covers the NFL

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The Green Bay Packers went 11-6 last season, sweeping the NFC West and the AFC South along the way

Overall, though, no one in the building was happy

Afterwards, general manager Brian Gutekunst turned up the heat on everybody in the building. “We need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency,” Gutekunst said. “I think it’s time we started competing for championships. ” Those are fair expectations

The Packers return 20 of 22 starters, and appear to have upgraded the roster via free agency and the draft

With several third and fourth year players upward, Green Bay should be poised to make a move. “I think they’re ready,” Gutekunst said

Now, it’s time for the Packers to ve their G

MORE FOR YOU Green Bay’s first training camp practice is July 23

In 11 games (seven starts) last season, Hobbs had 49 tackles, five passes def and one interception

He also displayed impressive versatility, playing 275 snaps in the slot and 128 at outside cornerback, according to TruMedia

He also had a missed tackle rate of 22. 2% according to PFF, the sixth worst among the 92 corners that played at least 500 snaps

Hobbs also missed 17 games in four seasons with the Raiders, making his inability to stay on the field a concern

The Packers, who are extremely thin in the cornerback room, need to get their money’s worth on this deal

Hobbs gives the Packers some intriguing options in the back end

Hobbs could play in the slot permanently, meaning the Packers’ corners would ly be Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine

Hobbs could play outside on early downs, then move into the slot on passing downs

The Packers could also leave Hobbs outside if Javon Bullard wins the slot position in training camp

Either way, expect to see a lot of Hobbs

The biggest question is where

They Said It … “We’ve kinda had our eye on Nate for a couple years now. (Packers director of personnel) Richmond Williams on our staff does a great job and has been pushing (for him)

We just really thought he’s a really versatile all-around corner, can do everything

We really his ability to play on the outside, which he hasn’t done a ton of, but the ability to move him inside and match different receivers, and his play style I think is one of the things that really stood out to all of us

Really, really excited to see what he’s going to do for us this year. ” — Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst on Hobbs “Nate can play outside and Nate can play inside

So we’re going to have him do both

His film was, you know, when you’re getting ready for free agency and you’re evaluating tape, it’s one thing that you love him

He’s had a lot of success inside, and I thought his tape outside was equally as good

He is competitive, he’s tough, he is physical, he plays the game fast, you can tell he loves it

It just jumps off the tape

He’s been a great addition and he does give you that versatility where you can move him around and again, I’m a big fan of that. ” — Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Hobbs “I know by nature, I'm a very competitive person

When I get out there, I'm a super competitor

I think kinda to make it to this level and to be an impact player, you have to be a super competitor, but when you are a super competitor and you've been bestowed with opportunity this that I've had, that comes with responsibility

I think this is an opportunity for me to grow as a man, a leader, a player, father, a friend, just the man period. ” — Hobbs on the next step in his career “He’s physical, he's strong, upper body and lower body

He's very heavy handed

He's got an alpha personality

He's been a good teammate to some of the younger guys, encouraging those guys. ” — Packers passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley on Hobbs THE TOP 30 • No. 30 — RB MarShawn Lloyd • No. 29 — WR Dontayvion Wicks • No. 28 — S Javon Bullard • No. 27 — WR Savion Williams • No. 26 — LB Isaiah McDuffie • No. 25 — OL Jordan Morgan • No. 24 — WR Matthew Golden • No. 23 — CB Carrington Valentine • No. 22 — WR Romeo Doubs • No. 21 — QB Malik Willis N0. 20 — DE Lukas Van Ness • No. 19 — RG Sean Rhyan • No. 18 — LT Rasheed Walker • No. 17 — DT Devonte Wyatt • No. 16 — S Evan Williams Editorial StandardsRes & PermissionsLOADING PLAYER.