Why the return of Mike Hughes makes sense as a Falcons free agency option

No, his stat line wasn’t flashy, but one would argue that’s not the role he needed to play.

Hughes consistently had coverage grades in the green (if you subscribe to the PFF weighting system). He was one of the best open-field tacklers on the team, as evident by a few big plays against the Saints and Steelers to name a couple examples. And according to Next Gen Stats, Hughes’ coverage as the nearest defender was not only serviceable but notable. He finished the season giving up 35 receptions on 55 targets, two touchdowns and a catch-rate allowed of 63.6%. To put that into perspective with someone like Terrell, his catch-rate allowed was 62.3% (with about 200 more coverage snaps since Hughes missed two games with an injury).

I have to be honest, too: Very early on last offseason I was ready to send Hughes to a backup role. I was knee deep in the idea of drafting a cornerback who would be Terrell’s future running mate. But over and over again, time after time, Raheem Morris said he really liked the players the Falcons had on the then-current roster for CB2 candidates. That included Hughes and Clark Phillips III. I was skeptical, but I was wrong. Morris was right in his assessment that they had what they needed at cornerback on the returning roster already. Hughes — as the one who outright earned and maintained the starting spot — was evidence of that.

Now the Falcons have the opportunity to feel the same way once more if they bring back Hughes. And truth be told? I like the idea. You know exactly what you’re getting with Hughes. You know his strengths and also his limitations. You know how he works with and off of someone like Jessie Bates III at safety or Kaden Elliss at inside linebacker. You know that you’re not going to overpay for a gamble or unknown.

If you have to prioritize other positions with free agency money or draft picks, then bringing Hughes back seems like an easy decision to make to ensure consistency at an extremely important position. Because trust, at this position, goes a long way.