Eagles to meet with UCF CB Mike Hughes
5 April 2018 DRAFT Eagles News
Another clue to who the Eagles are looking at in this seasons NFL draft has just be released. The Eagles are hosting Central Florida cornerback Mike Hughes.
“Hughes simply hasn’t had the game experience he needs to put together the consistency in coverage that teams might like to see. He’s a projection-based prospect who has shown twitch, ball production and toughness in a small sample size. Despite being a little short, he is likely to stay outside in coverage. While teams wait for him to gain coverage experience, they can certainly lean on his tremendous talents as a return man. Hughes has potential, but there is still work to be done in coverage.”
Hughes left college a year early, but is coming off a year which saw him lock down wide receivers, accumulating four interceptions. As well as just his defending ability, Hughes is also a deadly punt and kick returner. He returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and one punt return for a touchdown.
The only knock on Hughes is that he is a little raw. However, he has the potential to become a good cornerback in this league for years to come.
Where the Eagles are, Hughes makes sense, especially if he’s the best player on their board. The Eagles just lost Patrick Robinson and Ronald Darby is out of contract next season. Drafting him now gives him the chance to develop now while there’s less pressure and come into the first team when the times right. The Eagles pick allows them to take anyone they think will benefit them the most at any position. If Hughes is that guy, so be it, the Eagles can hit the lottery with him at the 32nd pick.
Photo Credit: Jason Beede, 247Sports