Lions Trading Jeff Okudah to Falcons, Ending Disappointing Tenure
The Detroit Lions have made a decision regarding the future of cornerback Jeff Okudah.
According to ESPN, Lions general manager Brad Holmes has traded Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons.
The Lions will receive a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft in return.
Okudah was facing uncertainty heading into the 2023 season. Detroit's front office made three additions in the secondary through free agency, leaving the Ohio State product without a clear role moving forward.
The trade allows him a fresh start, while the Lions will unload $5.2 million from their cap. Holmes and Co. will no longer have to decide on his fifth-year option.
Detroit's front office and coaching staff often discussed Okudah's inexperience on the playing field when reviewing his performance, as injuries kept him away from the field during his tenure in Motown.
"I talked to you guys about Jeff at the end of the season, in terms of the unique thing about him is that he's still growing. And, he's still learning as a player, even all the years that he's been in the league already, it's still been very minimal play time," said Holmes. "I told you that last year, he was basically a rookie, in terms of playing time. So, he's still got a lot of ability."
Okudah was selected third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, but never lived up to the billing of where he was selected.
His first two seasons were hampered by injuries, but he had the best season of his career in 2022.
Thus far in his career, he has secured 124 tackles, with two interceptions.
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