Mackensie Alexander return to Vikings signals the end for Mike Hughes
By Dean Jones
Mike Hughes’ career with the Vikings
There was plenty of excitement when the Vikings selected Mike Hughes at No. 30 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Central Florida standout was considered as one of the top cornerback prospects entering the league that year and expectations rose significantly when the player managed to secure a pick-six in his first-ever game in a professional environment.
What came next was not what Hughes or Minnesota had in mind. In the 48 regular-season games since he was drafted, the player has been on the field for just 24 contests, starting seven.
This is down to a series of frustrating and sometimes long-term injuries that have undoubtedly derailed his progress considerably. It is a common tale in the NFL considering its violent nature and Hughes is just one of a long list of highly-touted college prospects who are now staring down the possibility of an early release from his contract.
The only true body of work we’ve seen from Hughes was in 2019 when he was part of the Vikings’ rotation alongside some established veterans. He gave up 61.2 percent of targets thrown his way and was awarded a 58.6 grade by Pro Football Focus, which isn’t exactly earth-shattering whichever way one looks at it.
Releasing Hughes one year ahead of schedule would save the Vikings around $1.17 million, according to Over the Cap. This isn’t the biggest financial sum in the world, but considering how little established players with proven production are signing for in the current climate, it might enable Minnesota to get in somebody else on a vet minimum deal before competitive action gets underway in 2021.
Although Mackensie Alexander’s arrival doesn’t guarantee the end for Hughes, it means the writing is on the wall in no uncertain terms.