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This has been a season to forget for the Las Vegas Raiders, who have failed to make the leap into postseason contention that they hoped for. Unfortunately, that means that the attention for many is already on the offseason and what the Raiders could do in free agency. This also involves potentially losing their players, and one name who could depart is cornerback Nate Hobbs.
Hobbs has been one of the better players on this Raiders defense this season and is one of the better nickel cornerbacks in the league. He will be a free agent this offseason and a team with money could look to sign him to a lucrative contract.
One of those teams could be the Tennessee Titans, who will have plenty of money to spend. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department recently listed Hobbs as a player the Titans could target in free agency and explained why he would make sense for them:
The Titans had three off-ball linebackers play 100 percent of the snaps in a game two weeks ago. They also rarely play more than two corners and rarely deploy three safeties. In a league where team’s “base” defenses are considered their changeups, the Titans just don’t have the positional flexibility to get different packages on the field right now.
Signing a slot specialist could help. That’s always been where Nate Hobbs has thrived for the Raiders. He has the ability to bump outside if he needs too, but the combination of L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary and Nate Hobbs could be a good trio that allows the Titans to play nickel more next year.
This makes some sense for the Titans, and flexibility is essential. The question is whether the Raiders will pay enough to keep him around should a team make a big offer or whether they are good with Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett and feel they can plug someone into that nickel role.
As they look to turn things around and get back to being a contender, the Raiders must figure out which players are worth keeping around, and the decision on Nate Hobbs will come soon.
More must-reads:
- Aaron Rodgers responds to criticism from Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw
- Terry McLaurin makes big decision amid his contract holdout
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Browns make curious decision with rookie QB Shedeur Sanders
The Cleveland Browns are giving Shedeur Sanders special treatment in training camp, but it's not the type of favoritism the fifth-round pick would necessarily want. Per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Sanders is the only Browns quarterback who has not been taking reps with the first-team offense during OTAs or the first two practices of training camp. Former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett, veteran Joe Flacco and rookie Dillon Gabriel have all split reps with the first team. Despite being asked to throw passes to members of the equipment staff amid a shortage of professional pass-catchers for a four-quarterback roster, Sanders said he's thankful for the opportunity to show the Browns coaching staff his talents. "I feel like that it's not in my control, so I'm not going to think about that or even have that in my thought process of why it is," Sanders said to a question as to why he's not getting first-team reps. "There's a lot of people who want to have the opportunity to be at this level, and I'm here and I'm thankful to have the opportunity. So, whenever that is, that is." Sanders, 23, believes that he can contribute more to the Browns than what the coaching staff is asking of him. "It doesn't make me feel down or left out because I know who I am as a person," Sanders said. "I know who I am as an individual and I know what I could bring to this team. So, I can never feel less than any circumstance." The Browns selected Sanders with the No. 144 pick in April's draft. As a player whom many draft analysts thought was a first-round talent, Cleveland took what could be the steal of the draft in the fifth round. It's curious why the Browns aren't giving Sanders a shot with the first team early in training camp before the quarterback race becomes more serious. Cleveland should see what Sanders has to offer this summer. Flacco, 40, isn't a long-term solution at the position. Pickett failed in Pittsburgh. The Browns need to gauge what rookies Gabriel and Sanders can do with the first team. Having Sanders throw balls to the equipment staff is a waste of everyone's time. But then again, Cleveland has wasted plenty of quarterbacks.
Royals acquire outfield help in perplexing trade with Diamondbacks
The Kansas City Royals were hoping to bolster their outfield ahead of the July 31 trade deadline. They were able to do just that in a trade on Saturday. Steve Gilbert from MLB.com reported that the Royals have acquired outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Mark Feinsand from MLB.com reported that relief pitcher Andrew Hoffman will head to Arizona in exchange for Grichuk. The Royals desperately needed help in their outfield. Royals outfielders had been the worst in the majors, posting an atrocious .219/.273/.328 batting line with just 19 home runs entering Saturday's action. Although Grichuk is in the midst of a disappointing season himself, he is an immediate upgrade over whatever the Royals have sent into the outfield. Grichuk had posted a .243/.280/.462 batting line in 186 plate appearances entering Saturday, hitting seven homers and 15 doubles. In exchange, the Diamondbacks receive Hoffman, who FanGraphs ranked as the Royals' 22nd-best prospect entering the season. His upper-90s fastball and new kick change are both considered plus offerings, although his ability to command his arsenal is questionable at best. Hoffman's potential and flaws were evident this season. He made his major league debut for the Royals, allowing six runs, two earned, on seven hits and four walks over 4.2 innings, striking out five. However, Hoffman had dominated at Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 40 innings, striking out 55 batters with just 10 walks. He is another intriguing addition for a Diamondbacks team that has prioritized pitching in their two trades thus far. The same upside does not exist for the Royals. Kansas City had the same record as the Diamondbacks entering the second game of their doubleheader against the Guardians. Grichuk signed a one-year contract with $5 million guaranteed for 2025. There is a mutual option worth $5 million, with a $3 million buyout, for 2026. Theoretically, Grichuk could be part of the Royals' plans next season. However, mutual options are rarely picked up. As the Royals are currently under .500 and need to pass four teams in the standings to seize the final wild-card spot, adding a rental option does not make sense. It is possible that both sides can work out an arrangement for 2026, but unless that happens, the Royals' latest move is questionable at best.
New suitor emerges for Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez
The Arizona Diamondbacks have plenty of suitors for third baseman Eugenio Suarez. A new team has reportedly entered the market for his services. Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the Phillies have reached out regarding Suarez. While Lauber did not provide any indication as to whether or not those talks have gained traction, the Phillies are an intriguing suitor for the Diamondbacks' third baseman. The Phillies' interest may be a recent development. Jon Heyman of the New York Post speculated on Friday that the Phillies could emerge as a suitor in the wake of third baseman Alec Bohm landing on the injured list with a fractured left rib. Suarez is in the midst of what is arguably his best season thus far. He has produced a .249/.321/.587 batting line in 421 plate appearances entering Saturday with 36 homers and a major league-leading 87 RBI. Suarez would be more than just another powerful bat in the lineup. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper are both left-handed hitters — adding Suarez would provide more balance in the batting order. He would also provide a counter against opposing managers bringing in a lefty reliever to face Schwarber and Harper. The biggest question would be how the Phillies would handle an eventual logjam on the roster. Bohm is expected to return from the IL in mid-August and would not have a clear path to regular at-bats if Suarez were acquired. Schwarber could theoretically return to left field to open up playing time at the DH spot, but his outfield defense is mediocre at best. However, as the Phillies are also looking to upgrade the outfield, where Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh have been disappointments, adding Suarez could solve several problems in one fell swoop.
Spencer Jones Trade Buzz Grows With Yankees Eyeing Bigger Moves
Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, rival GMs believe the Yankees are open to dealing prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones, even amid his recent power surge. Jones has been on fire since his Triple-A promotion. He has 13 home runs in 19 games, a .308 batting average and 1.079 OPS in combined high-A and Triple-A action this season, including a three-homer game last week. That’s putting new power on display just as the trade deadline looms in July. But New York evaluators haven’t forgotten he was a strikeout machine earlier this year. Through 76 games in Double-A, Jones posted a .238/.317/.401 slash line with a 36.9% strikeout rate, loud warning signs about swing-and-miss risks. That dichotomy is what makes him intriguing and also tricky. Jones is a first-rounder with elite tools. But after a slow spring and contact struggles early in the year, calling him polished would be generous. Fans are going to freak out if he’s traded now—especially after watching a 6-foot-7 prospect rock nine dingers over his first 30 Triple-A games and earn Eastern League Player of the Week. But this isn’t about the hot streak; it’s about the long-term plan. If the Yankees deal Jones, it’ll have to be for serious bullpen or rotation help. This isn’t a swap for fringe veteran average, but big-picture trade capital to plug holes at third base or in relief—as Judge’s elbow situation and a crumbling bullpen continue to remind them. The upside is tantalizing, but the strikeouts are real. Adding to the complications are that Jones just missed the last two games, reportedly with back spasms. He's had a history of injuries already that will bring the same questions of durability that Judge faced earlier in his career. For the Yankees, selling high on Jones isn’t about denying his tools. This is about asking what they think they can get back in return.
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