Who has a chance to be the Minnesota Vikings’ kick returner in 2018?
By Adam Patrick
Mike Hughes – CB
Hughes’ skills as a cornerback at Central Florida in 2017 were not the only reason why the Vikings went ahead and selected him with their first-round pick in last April’s NFL Draft.
He also happened to be one of the best return-men in all of college football last year.
In 13 games at Central Florida last season, Hughes ran two kickoffs and one punt back the other way for touchdowns. His 31.8 yards per kick return last year was the fifth-best average in the nation.
With Minnesota’s current depth at corner and the fact that Mike Zimmer is not known for giving rookies a ton of playing time in their first season (especially defensive backs), Hughes chance to make an impact in 2018 could come on special teams.
If he impresses the Vikings’ coaches during the team’s upcoming training camp and preseason, Hughes could end up as the Minnesota’s primary kick returner for 2018.