The KC Chiefs have upgraded their secondary after the 2021 NFL Draft with a trade for cornerback Mike Hughes of the Minnesota Vikings. Given that Hughes was likely going to be a future release, it looks like the Chiefs were able to get a solid deal in simply swapping back one round late in the 2022 draft. Per ESPN reporter Field Yates, Hughes goes to K.C. along with a seventh round choice while the Vikings get a sixth round pick in the swap.
Hughes has hardly lived up to his billing as a former first round draft pick, but that’s not fully on him,. He’s been very unlucky when it comes to injuries ever since he was drafted. He’s made only 7 NFL starts and played in only four games last season overall. He had a torn ACL ruin his rookie campaign in the NFL with the Vikings after Week 6. He made it nearly a full season with the Vikings in 2019 but he suffered a neck injury at season’s end, and complications from that limited him last season.
Clearly the Chiefs are going to need Hughes to pass a physical and prove to be healthy if this deal is going to be official and/or be effective at all. The Vikings are likely tired of the questions surrounding Hughes and have made investments elsewhere in order to maintain security at the position.
For the Chiefs, however, the chance to buy-low on a former first-round talent like Hughes is exactly the sort of investment that general manager Brett Veach has liked to make in the past. From trades for first-round lineman Cam Erving to second-round linebacker Reggie Ragland to signing former first-round pass rusher Taco Charlton, Veach has often tried to draw something out of once-promising talents later than other GMs.
The Kansas City Chiefs have traded for Vikings cornerback Mike Hughes.
Fortunately for the Chiefs, the latest updates on Hughes are all systems go.
It remains to be seen what possibly could happen with #Vikings CB Mike Hughes' roster status after signing of CB Mackensie Alexander. Regardless, I was told today Hughes is fully healthy. He's recovered after spending final 10 weeks of 2020 on injured reserve due to neck injury.
— Chris Tomasson (@christomasson) March 29, 2021
In his only season with any meaningful playing time, back in ’19, Hughes played in 14 games and had 13 passes deflected and 1 interception for the Vikings.
As for his fit with the Chiefs depth chart, remember that Charvarius Ward is entering his contract year and that Deandre Baker is making his way back from a broken femur. The team also lost Bashaud Breeland in free agency, so this deal seems to insinuate a true goodbye for Breeland, given that rumors were swirling the team could bring him back. Now Hughes will compete with L’Jarius Sneed and Ward outside while the team looks to Will Parks and Rashad Fenton inside. Baker will join the mix if and when he is able as well. BoPete Keyes is also on the roster and ready for more reps in his second season.