Can Mike Hughes become the Vikings No. 1 corner in 2020?
By Dean Jones
Hughes’ production in Minnesota
Mike Hughes arrived to the Vikings with a big reputation he has yet to fulfill. A lot of this can be blamed on the serious injuries he has suffered during his pro career. But he will need to do more if he is going to make a success of things in the NFL.
Hughes’ rookie campaign saw him play in six games and record 22 total tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception. He played in a good amount of the team’s defensive snaps and he showed real potential in a good Minnesota secondary at the time.
Hughes hit the field for 14 games in 2019 for the Vikings, starting three times. He was on the field for 46 percent of defensive snaps and notched 45 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and a pick.
He was used in a more rotational role behind Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes in 2019 as he worked his way back to full strength. Hughes failed to force his way into the Minnesota starting lineup for a prolonged period despite an unproductive campaign from the starting duo of Rhodes and Waynes.
Hughes covered well when called upon, but opposing offenses targeted him at times due to his lack of activity and relative inexperience. This resulted in some mistakes along the way, but that is to be expected with a player at the corner position during their early development.
He needs to put these teething problems behind him to make another leap forward next season. There is added pressure on Hughes to perform in his third year as an NFL player and he must seize this opportunity.