In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay is thinking secondary and return help for the Redskins at No. 13 with the selection of Central Florida's Mike Hughes.
Could the Washington Redskins select a cornerback in the first round of the NFL Draft for just the fourth time dating back to 1983?
In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay sees it as a possibility, as he has Washington selecting University of Central Florida cornerback Mike Hughes with the No. 13-overall pick.
"Hughes is a talented cover corner who also supports the run," McShay writes (ESPN Insider access required). "A playmaker when the ball is in the air, he's also a dynamic return specialist."
In his lone season with the Knights, Hughes appeared in 12 games and recorded 44 tackles with 15 passes defensed and four interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
Along with being an AAC first-team selection as a cornerback, Hughes was also named to the all-conference second-team as a return specialist.
The 5-foot-11, 191 pounder returned 16 kickoffs for 545 yards (34.1 yards per return) along with two touchdowns. Additionally, he returned 13 punts for 232 yards (17.8 yards per return) with one touchdown.
In a November victory over South Florida, the New Bern, N.C., native returned a kickoff 95 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
Prior to his lone season at Central Florida, Hughes spent one year each at both the University of North Carolina and Garden City Community College.
During his time with the Tar Heels, Hughes appeared in 11 games, recording 10 tackles and three passes defensed. Then during the 2016 season at Garden City Community College, Hughes earned National Junior College Athletic Association first-team All-America honors as he tallied 47 tackles with six passes defensed and two interceptions.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Hughes "gives opponents a rough ride out of their release."
"Won't just jam, looks to completely halt the route with his initial punch and aggression. Tracks and catches the football like a receiver. Ball skills include plus timing, soft hands and an ability to adjust body to make the catch. Plus short-area foot quickness to burst on ball and tremendous run-you-down speed on deep balls. Should be able to run with most every receiver in the league. Premium talent as a return man. Capable of making huge changes to field position and momentum. Eludes first tackler on punt returns and can change field position battle quickly. Downhill kick returner with speed to house it once he gets his crease," his profile states.
While at the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, Hughes ran the 40-yard dash in 4.53 seconds while recording 20 bench press reps, a 35.5-inch vertical jump, a 127-inch broad jump and a 6.70-second three-cone drill run.
