Here's Why Falcons Won't Pick Up Jeff Okudah Option
The 2020 NFL Draft's first-round class is having its fate finalized today on the deadline of picking up fifth-year options.
While the Atlanta Falcons made the easy decision to exercise the option on A.J. Terrell's contract, the team won't have to make a choice regarding recent trade acquisition Jeff Okudah.
In Okudah's deal to the Falcons last month, the Detroit Lions (who selected him with the No. 3 overall pick) agreed to pay part of his salary for the 2023 season. According to NFL Network, the Lions will pay $1.5 million of his salary while the Falcons are responsible for the remaining $3.7 million or so.
This means that Okudah will be a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, giving him incentive to play his best football in his first year with the Falcons.
Okudah isn't the only first-rounder from the 2020 class looking to prove himself this season. As of this writing, only 10 of the 32 first-round picks have had their options picked up for the 2024 season. Among those players are quarterbacks Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, offensive tackles Jedrick Wills and Tristan Wirfs and wide receivers CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson and Brandon Aiyuk.
Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown and Terrell are the only defensive players with their options picked up at the time of publication.
You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Falcons? Click Here.
Follow Falcon Report on Twitter.
Want even more Atlanta Falcons news? Check out the SI.com team page here
