The Green Bay Packers will have plenty of options with the 14th pick in the NFL Draft. Cornerback Mike Hughes is the most logical choice though.
As with any team in virtually any draft ever, the Green Bay Packers‘ first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft isn’t set in stone yet. Due to that, I’ve looked at tons of prospects, and have actually changed my mind multiple times. With the draft approaching fast, it’s UCF cornerback Mike Hughes coming out on top though.
For a while, I wasn’t sure how I felt about a cornerback in the first round for Green Bay. They definitely needed one, but they had zero veteran leadership at the position. I didn’t want a cycle of young talent getting no help, and never improving (see, Damarious Randall).
The Packers picked up a veteran in Tramon Williams though. While he may not be as useful on the field as he was a few years ago for Green Bay, he’s extremely valuable as a leader. The 35-year old was an undrafted rookie, and carved out a fantastic career, most of it in Green Bay. He knows what it takes to succeed in the NFL.
That brings us back to Mike Hughes. The Central Florida product gets downplayed because of his size (5-10). If you really have a problem with that, let me remind you that Darrell Green was 5-10 and Darrelle Revis is 5-11.
Hughes is an extremely physical corner though; someone who can bury a receiver’s route. Athletically, he’s solid all-around with no major shortcomings. His hands are great, and he has a fantastic track record as a return man.
The biggest knock on him is his experience. This is exactly where veteran leadership comes into play. Williams gives the Packers someone who can take Hughes under his wing and teach him everything he knows. There are no more growing pains for Williams, now all he has to do is guide.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Full 7-Round projection
Things are always subject to change when it comes to the NFL Draft. Something could happen to the player, or the team could make more additions before hand. Then there’s always the wild card of another team taking the player you wanted before you pick, or a player you weren’t expecting to drop to fall to you.
With all that being said, Mike Hughes could be the perfect fit for a Green Bay Packers team that needs to find life at the defensive back position.