2018 NFL Mock Draft: Sam Darnold goes to Browns

By Brad Weiss | Apr 25, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 18: Sam Darnold (14) of the USC Trojans during a college football game between the UCLA Bruins vs USC Trojans on November 18, 2017 at the Los Angeles memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 01: UCF Knights defensive back Mike Hughes (19) returns a kick during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl football game of the UCF Knights v Auburn Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. The UCF Knights won the game 34-27. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

47. . Defensive Back. UCF. Mike Hughes. 23. player

Brandin Cooks came over to the New England Patriots last offseason, as the team traded with the New Orleans Saints. In his first year with New England, Cooks helped the team make it back to the Super Bowl. However, his run with the team ended pretty fast, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams for the No. 23 pick in the first round, which is where the Patriots will pick their first of two first round picks.

This offseason, the Patriots saw Malcolm Butler leave for Tennessee, as he was likely unhappy with his benching during the Super Bowl. While that statement is pretty obvious, it does leave New England with a bit of a hole at the cornerback position. With the No. 23 overall pick in round one, they should look to add a cornerback, and Mike Hughes from UCF is a player who should hear his name called in the first round.

Hughes is an explosive cornerback, possessing great hands and cover skills. He also is a very good return man, and could be used in a variety of ways in Bill Belichick’s defense next season. The Patriots were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, especially through the air, so it makes a lot of sense that they would use their first of two first round picks on the secondary during the NFL Draft.

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