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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) /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to tackle Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Florida won 41-15. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 29: Khaleke Hudson #7 of the Michigan Wolverines tries to tackle Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. Florida won 41-15. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

What Hudson needs to improve

While Hudson’s versatility was nice for Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines, he fits into a dangerous category for the Redskins. He’s a positional tweener.

Hudson has the size of a safety at 5-11, 224 pounds. But his play speed is closer to that of a linebacker. If the roles were reversed and Hudson had a linebacker’s size and a safety’s athleticism, he’d be better off. But because of his lack of top-tier speed — though he is explosive — Hudson will have to make it work as a linebacker in Washington’s defense.

That could certainly work. And if they give him some packages where he plays as an edge rusher, he may be able to create plays. But his lacking size may make dealing with stronger blockers at the next level a little more problematic.

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There are times when Hudson is effectively neutralized by blockers when he can’t use his quickness to beat them. He also has trouble disengaging from blockers. That’s not his fault; he simply isn’t that big and can only carry a certain amount of strength on his frame. It’s unclear how much more he can bulk up at the NFL level without losing his explosiveness, so he may need to stay around the 224 mark.

Another concern with Hudson is his ability to tackle in space. When in traffic, he’s usually effective at wrapping up runners and dragging them down. He’s even good at dodging traffic to get there. But in space, he can get beaten with quick moves as he tends to be a bit overaggressive in his angling. He’ll need to be a bit more disciplined in that area to avoid missing tackles at the next level.

It’s also worth noting that Hudson’s lacking length could affect his ability in coverage. Quarterbacks may be able to throw over him if he ends up guarding bigger tight ends in man or the middle of the field in zone. So, he may be used more against the run or as a pass rusher in special packages to maximize his abilities in that area.

Hudson has some areas to work on, but not all can be helped. It will be interesting to see how Ron Rivera can help bring him along in the areas he can improve in and if a guy like Thomas Davis can serve as a mentor to him.

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