The Kansas City Chiefs addressed the secondary on Thursday as they acquired cornerback Mike Hughes from the Minnesota Vikings. In the deal, Kansas City receives Hughes and the Vikings 2022 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for the Chiefs 2022 sixth-round draft pick.
Career
Hughes was drafted by the Vikings with the 30th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. In three seasons, he has played in 24 games (seven starts). In those 24 games, Hughes has recorded two interceptions, three forced fumbles (three recoveries), and 13 passes defended.
However, the former first-round pick has been hit with multiple injuries. In 2018, his rookie season was cut to six games with a Torn ACL. In 2019, Hughes suffered a cracked vertebrae in Week 17, and he only played four games in 2020 due to a neck injury.
In May, the Vikings declined Hughes’ fifth-year option. When healthy, the former UCF Knight has proven to be a solid piece in the secondary. In 2018, the Chiefs used one of their 30 pre-draft visits on Hughes and now he is headed to Kansas City.
What Does the Move Mean for KC?
The Chiefs needed to address the cornerback position after not drafting anyone in the secondary during the NFL Draft in April. Hughes joins a young group at the cornerback position.
Charvarius Ward – 24 years old
Deandre Baker – 23 years old
L’Jarius Sneed – 24 years old
Mike Hughes – 24 years old
Rashad Fenton – 24 years old
BoPete Keyes – 23 years old
For Hughes, he has played both on the inside and outside. With the emergence of L’Jarius Sneed last year, the Chiefs have looked to move him to the outside and the acquisition of Hughes makes it more likely.
With Bashaud Breeland still on the free-agent market, Kansas City could still look to bring him back, adding more depth to the position, but as of now, Brett Veach has added to the back end of the defense.
