Twitter Reacts: Does No. 3 Pick Really Need That Much Safety Help?

Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has been receiving a heavy amount of praise for his play to start the 2022 NFL season for the Detroit Lions.

He is largely credited for limiting the production of three talented opposing receivers: DeVonta Smith of the Eagles, Terry McLaurin of the Commanders and Justin Jefferson of the Vikings.

In total, the three receivers recorded seven total receptions for 89 yards against Detroit's defense.

This season, Okudah himself has only allowed just one catch of more than 11 yards.

Jeff Okudah heard the whispers about him moving to safety: "I can play cornerback in the NFL. A lot of people thought I was a safety at one point."
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) September 29, 2022

Prior to his third NFL season, supporters began to debate whether or not the young defensive back should switch to playing safety.

"I can play cornerback in the NFL," Okudah told reporters this week. "A lot of people thought I was a safety at one point."

But, not everybody agrees that Okudah has been locking down opposing wideouts.

Speaking with reporters, Seattle Seahawks wideout DK Metcalf noted that based on watching film, the 23-year-old defensive back has been gaining the benefits of having a safety play over the top.

“There’s a safety over the top of him so, he’s not really locking people down, but he’s a good corner,” Metcalf told reporters, via Pro Football Talk.

When asked to elaborate, Metcalf expressed, “I guess you have to watch film, and that is just my opinion."

Based on film review, the talented defensive back has benefitted from jamming receivers at the line scrimmage, disrupting the timing of calculated routes and forcing quarterbacks to look away from his side of the field.

Here is a sample of the reaction online to the debate regarding Okudah's effectiveness this season.

Okudah is doing great - but DK is not wrong. A Lockdown Corner is someone you put on WR1 to take them out - then you can shift safety help to WR2 or TE to shut them down too. Not complaining - but DK’s definition is right.
— Jason Kihne (@jason_kihne) September 28, 2022

A top 3 pick CB shouldn’t need bracketing S help on like every play. Many NFL QBs will immediately look away from a double team
— MKE (@Mischakatja) September 29, 2022

Getting help over the top and playing physical… the real ones are@going to make plays regardless. Sure this isn’t the first time a guy has been bracketed but it’s football not 1-1
— C HENRY (@CHEN313) September 28, 2022

Every corner has a safety behind them but this statement from DK just proves Okudah is on the right track and gaining recognition. He wouldn’t be taking shots at Okudah if he wasn’t doing something right.
— Coen Carr Triple4’s Enthusiast (@DeepWatersOfEL) September 29, 2022

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