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Falcons to Host CB Mike Hughes For Free Agency Visit


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https://www.si.com/nfl/falcons/.amp/news/atlanta-falcons-host-cb-mike-hughes-free-agency-visit-detroit-lions-jerry-gray


Mike Hughes was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings when Atlanta Falcons assistant head coach Jerry Gray was in the Twin Cities. Could the two reunite in free agency?
 

The Atlanta Falcons could be adding to their cornerback room over the weekend.

 

According to ESPN, the team is hosting cornerback Mike Hughes for a visit. Hughes, a 2018 first-round pick, spent his first three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before playing for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 and the Detroit Lions in 2022.

When Hughes was drafted, current Falcons assistant head coach Jerry Gray was in charge of the defensive backs. That relationship could play a major role in why the Falcons are bringing in Hughes for a potential contract.

While Hughes hasn't quite lived up to his first-round pick status out of UCF, he can provide depth for the Falcons secondary. The team is set to start A.J. Terrell and Casey Hayward, but after losing Isaiah Oliver in free agency to the San Francisco 49ers, the team needs someone to compete alongside Dee Alford and Darren Hall for the backup job.

There's also a good chance the Falconsadd a cornerback or two in next month's NFL Draft, but adding Hughes gives the team a veteran familiar with one of the most important new members on the staff. Atlanta has been consistent in signing players with ties to Ryan Nielsen, bringing in linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackleDavid Onyemata, so bringing Hughes into the fold aligns with that school of thought.
 

Does anyone know anything about this guy? Could he be a replacement for Oliver or would he be another special teams guy?

Edited by TheRisen999
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1 hour ago, 1989Fan said:

Eh, I’m not overly excited. He has first round pedigree to his name, but that hasn’t helped him stick on any team. Prolly more of a Rashad Fenton type of player than a stud, but ya never know.

The breakdown sums up the why.  Familiarity, depth and potentially a reclamation project. I'm not swooning either, but I understand the interest.

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5 hours ago, 1989Fan said:

Eh, I’m not overly excited. He has first round pedigree to his name, but that hasn’t helped him stick on any team. Prolly more of a Rashad Fenton type of player than a stud, but ya never know.

Fenton has something that no other Falcon in franchise history has.  Unless Fenton blew out his knees, he should be able to contribute. 

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11 hours ago, primetime said:

I think the team is higher on Alford than people think. That being said I think they will definitely take a cb in the top 3 rounds. 

Agree. It’s definitely a good draft for cbs, early and in later rounds too. 

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12 hours ago, primetime said:

I think the team is higher on Alford than people think. That being said I think they will definitely take a cb in the top 3 rounds. 

If after last season, people still haven’t figured out you can never have enough starting caliber DB’s, they will never get it. We were one injury away from them pulling a fan out of the stands to play CB.

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3 minutes ago, The Falcon Jedi Knight said:

Sometimes I think these past coach connections are overrated and overblown. Like saying so-and-so was the Assistant Defensive Line Coach's Assistant's Brother-In-Law's Son - So there is a Connection!

Agreed... But this one sounds legit. He was the position coach for a first round draft pick. The amount of work and time that teams spend weighing options, interviewing and watching tape before the draft to make the pick and then trying to realize that player's potential is significant. 

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2 hours ago, Snafu said:

If after last season, people still haven’t figured out you can never have enough starting caliber DB’s, they will never get it. We were one injury away from them pulling a fan out of the stands to play CB.

This. Every year we lose corners or safeties to injuries. Just being happy we have decent starters isnt good enough. We need depth and a planned succession plan for when guys finish contracts

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3 hours ago, Snafu said:

If after last season, people still haven’t figured out you can never have enough starting caliber DB’s, they will never get it. We were one injury away from them pulling a fan out of the stands to play CB.

You're not lying. That Cincinnati game was rough to say the least...

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He’s actually a pretty good press corner but is short and not a great tackler. hence 3 teams already in 5 years.  He’d be seen as an upgrade over Darren Hall and a potential dime package guy. If he’s your starting outside corner you’re in trouble. 

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4 hours ago, The Falcon Jedi Knight said:

Sometimes I think these past coach connections are overrated and overblown. Like saying so-and-so was the Assistant Defensive Line Coach's Assistant's Brother-In-Law's Son - So there is a Connection!

Sometimes maybe, but I think about my job situation.

I would gladly go to work with someone I know, like and have worked for before over a stranger. Would be willing to take less money in most cases (depends on how much less and how much I liked the boss :) )

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21 minutes ago, EpicBird said:

He’s actually a pretty good press corner but is short and not a great tackler. hence 3 teams already in 5 years.  He’d be seen as an upgrade over Darren Hall and a potential dime package guy. If he’s your starting outside corner you’re in trouble. 

Is is an outside corner or can he play the slot?

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From Walter Football back in 2018: For the NFL, Hughes has the ability to be an outside corner as well as a nickelback. He could provide a serious impact on special teams as a returner, but his NFL team could pick certain spots and limit how many times they use him on returns to protect him from injury. 

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