Free-agent cornerback Mike Hughes finalized an undisclosed two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to a source. The former first-round pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 is now heading to the NFC South after spending the 2022 campaign playing for the Detroit Lions. In 16 games (six starts) last year, he had a career-high 51 tackles (35 solo) and a pass defensed. The 26-year-old will offer the Falcons some valuable versatility as a defensive back that has experience both on the outside and inside in the slot. In his five NFL seasons to this point, Hughes has recorded 178 tackles (142 solo), five tackles for loss, three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 20 passes defensed, seven forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries (one for a TD) in 57 games (18 starts).
The Detroit Lions signed free-agent cornerback Mike Hughes to a one-year, $3.5 million deal on Monday, according to a source. Hughes was a first-round pick (30th overall) by the Minnesota Vikings in 2018, and he spent the first three seasons of his career in Minnesota. Last year he played in 17 games (five starts) for the Kansas City Chiefs and had a career-high 47 tackles (40 solo), one interception, six passes defensed, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. The 25-year-old certainly hasn't lived up to his first-round pedigree in his four years in the NFL, but he was solid in coverage in KC last year and will be an upgrade for Detroit's secondary in 2022.
The Kansas City Chiefs acquired cornerback Mike Hughes and a 2022 seventh-round pick from the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick, according to a source. Minnesota declined their fifth-year option on the former first-round pick a week ago after the 24-year-old has dealt with serious injuries throughout his time with the Vikings. Hughes played in just four games last season and has 80 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions (one for a touchdown) in 24 games (seven starts) in his three seasons in the NFL with the Vikes. The writing was on the wall for Hughes in Minnesota when the team signed All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson in free agency. The Chiefs will take a low-risk flier on Hughes and cross their fingers that he can stay healthy to give them extra cornerback depth.
Vikings Won't Pick Up Mike Hughes' Fifth-Year Option
The Minnesota Vikings are not picking up the fifth-year option for the 2022 season on cornerback Mike Hughes, according to a source. It doesn't come as a huge shock, as Hughes played in just four games last season and has dealt with serious injuries since being a first-rounder out of Central Florida in 2018. The 24-year-old has only 80 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions in his three years in the NFL, and the Vikings made a big splash by adding All-Pro cornerback Patrick Peterson in free agency this offseason. Hughes' injury last year was just another tough blow for a Vikings defense that head coach Mike Zimmer called the worst he's ever coached. It looks like Hughes' last season in Minnesota will be in 2021.
Vikings Defense Places Mike Hughes On Injured Reserve
The Minnesota Vikings placed cornerback Mike Hughes (neck) on Injured Reserve on Friday and signed safety Curtis Riley in a corresponding move. Hughes has missed two games this season and wasn't able to get healthy during the team's bye last week. The third-year cornerback had posted 13 tackles (nine solo) and one pass defensed in his four games (two starts) this season. It's more bad news for a Vikings Defense that has really crumbled to this point in the 2020 season. They rank 29th in the league in overall fantasy points and have allowed 297.8 passing yards per game, which is the fourth-most in the NFL. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Packers passing game could go off this Sunday in the divisional matchup.
The Minnesota Vikings fear that rookie cornerback Mike Hughes, their first-round pick, suffered a torn ACL in the Week 6 win over the Cardinals, according to league sources. Hughes will have an MRI exam on Monday. It'll be a blow to the team's secondary, but the Vikings remain a strong fantasy defense while facing impressive rookie quarterback Sam Darnold and the Jets in Week 7.
The Minnesota Vikings selected Central Florida defensive back Mike Hughes with the 30th pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Hughes has a history of off-field incidents and bounced around colleges because of that. On the field, he has the total package with tremendous ball skills and physicality. He has a knack for tracking the ball deep down the field and winning 50-50 balls. He slid down the draft board because of his off-field issues, but he could be a fine pro and should immediately help Minnesota's shaky secondary.
