ESPN places Falcons veteran on hot seat after 2026 NFL Draft
ESPN puts Mike Hughes on hot seat following Falcons' selection of Avieon Terrell
The Atlanta Falcons landed one of the biggest steals on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the 48th overall pick. Not only was Terrell a projected first-round talent, but he's the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A. J.
Terrell. The two former Clemson standouts each play a role in Atlanta's secondary for years to come, but when should A. J.
Terrell expect to see his little brother enter the starting lineup? While Avieon Terrell has many NFL-ready traits, the Falcons have another solid starting cornerback in Mike Hughes. A former first-round pick, Hughes struggled early in his career and bounced around for his first few NFL seasons.
He signed with the Falcons in 2023 and after starting just four games that season, he took on a greater role in 2024 under head coach Raheem Morris. Even though Hughes has been fairly steady as the team's No. 2 cornerback, some NFL analysts feel the veteran's time in the starting lineup could be coming to an end.