Draft Information by: Years, Teams, Positions

Dante Hughes (California) - 2007 NFL Draft Pick #95 by IND

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Pre-Draft Analysis for Dante Hughes (2007 NFL Draft)

Player Profile:

• Name: Dante Hughes
• College: University of California, Berkeley
• Position: Cornerback
• Height: 5'11"
• Weight: 185 lbs

Strengths:

• Coverage Skills: Hughes demonstrated excellent man-to-man and zone coverage skills during his college career. He was adept at reading quarterbacks and had a knack for breaking up passes.
• Football IQ: His understanding of the game was evident. Hughes often positioned himself well to anticipate plays and react quickly.
• Ball Skills: He showed the ability to make plays on the ball, resulting in several interceptions and pass deflections throughout his college tenure.
• Experience: With multiple years as a starter at California, he brought a level of experience that teams valued in a draft prospect.

Weaknesses:

• Size and Physicality: At 5'11" and 185 lbs, some scouts questioned whether he could match up against bigger, more physical receivers in the NFL.
• Consistency: While Hughes had standout moments, there were games where he struggled to maintain his performance level, leading to concerns about his reliability.
• Speed: Though he had decent speed for a cornerback, he was not considered elite, which raised questions about his ability to keep up with faster wide receivers.

Overall Assessment:

Dante Hughes was viewed as a solid cornerback prospect in the 2007 NFL Draft, with the potential to develop into a reliable starter. While his size and speed were concerns, his skills in coverage and football intelligence made him an attractive option for teams looking to bolster their secondary. He was projected to be selected in the mid to late rounds of the draft, potentially as a nickel cornerback or a special teams contributor early in his career.