Dan Campbell’s colorful Detroit Lions seem destined to become an NFC powerhouse, but they might do it without a former top draft pick. After the Lions overhauled their secondary during this free agency period, that much is clear. (Yes, reaching new contending heights without the fun Jamaal Williams is a different story.)
First came the additions of cornerbacks Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley. Then Detroit brought in the 2022 co-interceptions leader (with six), C.J. Gardner-Johnson, on a bizarre deal. In the aftermath, one player seems to be the clear odd man out (if only temporarily): the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah.
While clearly talented on the defensive boundary, Okudah has had an up-and-down start to his NFL career.
As a rookie, Okudah started just six games (playing in nine) before being placed on injured reserve with a core injury to end the year. Then, in the 2021 season opener, Okudah tore his Achilles tendon. He’d be robbed of many offseason training activities before making 15 starts in 2022. There was a measure of promise shown in that slate, but nothing that seemed up to the standard of a top-three draft selection.
Entering his fourth professional season in 2023, Okudah might have a make-or-break campaign on his hands. If the cornerback balls out, there’s probably zero question the Lions would give him a fifth-year contract option that all first-rounders have lying in the wings. If Okudah, 24, is merely above-average, then Detroit could simply move on. (Though, it theoretically would cost them little to bring Okudah back on a fifth-year option of a rookie deal.)
The Lions are on the rise and might be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years. Whether Okudah is part of that Honolulu Blue plan remains to be seen for the time being.
