Hughes finds his niche in the slot
The first two seasons for Mike Hughes have been frustrating for the Vikings as the 2018 first-round pick has seen each of his first two years with the team end with a severe injury.
While it’s good news that Hughes won’t be rehabbing from the multi-ligament knee injury he suffered during his rookie campaign anymore, he didn’t enjoy a healthy offseason thanks to a neck injury he sustained at the end of the 2019 season.
But even with the injuries, Hughes should have a chance to become the player that many thought he could become and his best chance to make that happen is in the slot.
Minnesota will need to find a slot corner during their 14 practices this summer and Hughes seems to make the most sense. He has the size and athleticism to play the position and he even spent some time in the slot toward the end of last season.
In fact, Hughes played better in the slot than he did on the outside in 2019, which would make him a better bet over 2020 first-round corner, Jeff Gladney.
Both Hughes and Gladney should find their way onto the field as starters this season. But if Hughes is over his most recent injury, he could thrive with a move inside.