Riggo's Rag
FanSided

Evaluating the Redskins draft picks: Where Khaleke Hudson makes the biggest impact

By Jacob Camenker

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 16: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammates and the Paul Bunyan Trophy after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 44-10 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 16: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrates with teammates and the Paul Bunyan Trophy after a college football game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, MI. The Michigan Wolverines won the game 44-10 over the Michigan State Spartans. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines pressures from behind quarterback Demry Croft #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during a college football game at Michigan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Golden Gophers 33-10. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 04: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines pressures from behind quarterback Demry Croft #11 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during a college football game at Michigan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Golden Gophers 33-10. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

What Khaleke Hudson does well

When watching Hudson play at Michigan, it’s clear that the team valued his versatility. While he primarily played the linebacker position, he also saw snaps at safety and was used frequently as an edge rusher. Hudson is probably a linebacker in the Redskins defense, but the lattermost position is actually where he made his biggest impact.

At the line of scrimmage, Hudson was able to quickly get into the backfield and make plays against opposing quarterbacks. He’s a tricky player for offensive linemen to block, as he is of smaller stature at 5-11, 224 pounds and he is pretty slippery in those scenarios. He’s quicker than the blockers expect, so he can beat them to their spots to make plays.

The same can be said of his effectiveness as a tackler. Hudson is able to find success coming downhill which affords him a chance to slip through gaps and impact the run game. He won’t be able to outmuscle many players at the NFL level, but if he can continue to be quick and elusive at the next level, he will get in the way of many north/south rushing attacks.

More from Riggo's Rag

Hudson is very physical when it comes to coverage. He may not be able to get away with that all the time at the next level, but he does find ways to disrupt opposing tight ends in man coverage during their routes. That’s likely to be his best cover ability, but his time as a safety gives him solid response time in zone coverage. So, he has upside as a cover player in general.

That said, Hudson’s biggest value will come in will be on special teams. He is excellent on punt units and has a knack for getting to the punter thanks to his quickness off the line and short, quick strides that cover ground and afford him the opportunity to change directions to avoid blockers.

Hudson was able to notch a whopping five punt blocks during his college career. If he can continue to block punts at the next level, he will be well worth a fifth-round selection. And his role as a core special teams player should see him active early and often during his NFL career.

There’s one word that can describe what Hudson may bring to the Redskins: havoc. That was the role of the Viper position in the Michigan defense, create havoc. And Hudson did it very well.

At one point during his college career in 2017, he played against the Minnesota Golden Gophers and posted one of the best single-game performances in college football history. He logged 13 tackles, 6.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. That’s simply insane.

So, there are some serious positives with Hudson. But now, it’s time to delve into some of the negatives that could hinder his ability to see the field on defense.

Home/Commanders News