Falcons Trade For Jeff Okudah: 5 Questions on Lions Ex CB
The Atlanta Falcons are making more room in the secondary for former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah.
The Falcons acquired him in a trade with the Detroit Lions for a fifth-round pick in this month's draft.
To learn more about Okudah, we spoke with All Lions contributor Christian Booher.
1. What are the primary motivations behind trading Okudah now?
Okudah’s role was in question after a free agency period that saw the Lions add three members to their secondary. With Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley filling cornerback roles and C.J. Gardner-Johnson at nickel, the Lions overhauled their defensive backfield. This, in theory, made Okudah the odd man out. Though he could’ve stayed and competed with the newcomers, his impending fifth-year option is a likely motivator for making this decision when they did. Detroit gets more clarity in their secondary and an additional $5 million in cap, while the Ohio State product gets a fresh start.
2. Okudah seemed to perform well in 2022. What are his biggest strengths?
Okudah was at his best last season. For stretches, if felt as though he was finally developing into the type of player the Lions hoped he’d be when he was drafted. He showed marked improvement in coverage and did a good job filling run lanes as a tackler. His ability to make plays in the run game is among his best traits. When the Lions traveled to Dallas following their bye week last season, he set a career-high with 15 tackles while playing the slot corner role. That game, he played 18 snaps in the box which tied his season high. He also improved as a cover corner. His biggest pitfall through his first two seasons was that he just didn’t get enough game reps due to injuries. He bounced back to become a serviceable member of the Lions’ secondary in 2022.
3. What are Okudah's biggest weaknesses? Why didn't it work out in Detroit?
He’ll have to continue to improve in coverage. His performance in 2022, though the best year of his young career, still left plenty to be desired. He finished with a lackluster Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 54.4. He’s not the fastest player, which makes it tough for him to keep up with speedy wideouts. He was billed to be a top-tier cornerback coming out of college, but he never reached that level of production. The Lions’ secondary struggled as a whole for the majority of his tenure, and for that reason they needed an upgrade.
4. Should the Falcons pick up Okudah's fifth-year option for around $11.5 million? Is Okudah worth that much?
I think that price tag is a little too expensive at this time. Even if Atlanta feels really good about what they have in the young corner, I feel that they could bring him back at a similar price after this season. He doesn’t have the production to back up that commitment, especially with where the cornerback market is right now. He’s entering a pivotal year, and the Falcons could make it a prove-it campaign for him. Okudah’s potential is still to be determined. I’m not sure he has the same ceiling he did when exiting the college ranks, but he can still be a solid player in this league.
5. Does this signal that the Lions could take a cornerback with the No. 6 pick, two spots ahead of the Falcons?
I think cornerback was always in play at sixth overall, even before the trade. A player like Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez or Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon could be too good of a fit for Aaron Glenn’s defense to pass up. The Lions, while not having a glaring need, must continue to add playmakers. With Okudah now off the books, cornerback becomes more of an area to address. This move signals confidence in Cameron Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley moving forward, but adding another piece to that puzzle is enticing. While I don’t believe it changes the Draft plans too much, this trade opens another spot in the secondary where the Lions could see fit to add a playmaker.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
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