Round 2: UCF CB Mike Hughes – 5-10, 191 – 4.53 – Junior

Previous pick: Georgia RB Nick Chubb
After selecting Florida State strong safety Derwin James in the first round, Tampa Bay comes right back and selects one of the top cover corners in Hughes from nearby UCF. Hughes has the ability to step in right away and make an instant impact, as he did last year in his first and only season with the Knights, helping UCF go undefeated, beating Auburn in the Sugar Bowl.

Hughes began his career at North Carolina, but transferred after his freshman season, as he was involved in a fight at a fraternity party, which led to a suspension. Hughes was also accused of sexual assault, but no charges were filed due to a lack of evidence. Hughes has gotten out in front of this issue prior to the draft, telling NFL teams that he has a female witness and text messages from the accuser proving that he did nothing wrong.

After leaving North Carolina, Hughes went to Garden City Community College where he was named the Jayhawk Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned NJCAA All-American honors while helping the Broncbusters win the national title. Hughes picked off two passes and returned three punts for touchdowns during his sophomore season before transferring to the Knights program under head coach Scott Frost.

The athletic Hughes became an opening day starter at UCF and played an instrumental role in helping the Knights on defense with four interceptions, including a pick-six in a win over Maryland while covering talented receiver D.J. Moore, and on special teams as a kick and punt returner, taking three back for scores.

None of Hughes’ special teams scores was more important than his 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in a 49-42 win over in-state rival USF on November 24. The Bulls had just tied the game on an 83-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter and kicked the ball off to Hughes, who returned it 95 yards for the game-winning score.

“I was on the headset kinda in disbelief that we had just given up that touchdown,” Frost said. “I was thinking if he can get us close to midfield, then we only need a first down or two to be in field goal range for Matt [Wright] and man he hit that thing full speed.”

“He’s been a difference maker on our football team all year and he’s been a good teammate. We’re happy he’s here.”

Hughes’ UCF Career Defensive Stats
2017: 49 tackles, 0.5 tackle for loss, 11 PBUs, 4 INTs, TD, FF

Hughes’ UCF Career Kick Return Stats
2015: 20 returns for 635 yards (31.8 avg.), 2 TDs with a long of 95 yards

Hughes’ UCF Career Punt Return Stats
2015: 14 returns for 233 yards (16.6 avg.), 1 TD with a long of 66 yards

Hughes’ Garden City Community College Career Defensive Stats
2016: 47 tackles, 6 PBUs, 2 INTs

Hughes’ Garden City Community College Career Punt Return Stats
2016: Averaged 18.3 yards per return with 3 TDs

Hughes’ North Carolina Career Defensive Stats
2015: 11 tackles, 3 PBUs

Hughes’ North Carolina Career Kick Return Stats
2015: 4 returns for 125 yards (31.3 avg.) with a long of 40 yards

Hughes had a very good showing at the NFL Scouting Combine where he ran a 4.53 time in the 40-yard dash, bench-pressed 20 reps of 225 pounds and exceled with a 10.5-foot broad jump and a 6.7 time in the three-cone drill. The Bucs had him in for a pre-draft Top 30 visit and like his athleticism and competitiveness.

There is a chance that Hughes could go late in the first round, but with more experienced cornerbacks like Iowa’s Josh Jackson and Louisville’s Jaire Alexander also available in that range, a player like Hughes with just one year’s worth of production at the FBS level could slide to the second round where the Bucs would be ready to pounce on him. The fact that Hughes’ background isn’t spotless is also a reason why he could fall to Tampa Bay at the top of the second round.

Pairing Hughes with Grimes on the outside with Vernon Hargreaves III playing nickel cornerback would significantly upgrade Tampa Bay’s secondary.

Click below to view Tampa Bay’s second-round pick in 2018.