Texans Sign Former First-Round Corner Jeff Okudah To One-Year Deal
The Houston Texans found their No. 2 cornerback for the 2024 season.
The Texans and former Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, a source close to the situation confirmed to TexansDaily.com. Houston was in the market for another defensive back following the expected departure of Steven Nelson.
Drafted third overall out of Ohio State, Okudah, 25, began his NFL career with the Detroit Lions. After mixed play for three seasons, Okudah was traded to the Falcons prior to the start of the 2023 season.
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In 13 games, Okudah totaled 44 tackles and three pass breakups. Toward the season's end, however, then-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen elected to move Clark Phillips to the outside, forcing Okudah to play as a rotational role.
Houston's secondary showed promise last season under first-year coach DeMeco Ryans. Former No. 3 pick Derek Stingley blossomed into one of the league's top shutdown defenders, notching five interceptions and 13 pass breakups.
Nelson, who joined the Texans in 2022, was a serviceable No. 2 option, but sources indicated Houston wanted to go younger opposite Stingley. Nelson who hauled in four interceptions to go along with 12 pass breakups, turned 31 earlier this offseason.
The addition of Okudah won't stop the Texans from drafting a cornerback somewhere early next month. The Texans met with several high-profile cornerbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, including former Alabama star Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Okudah marks the second major outside signing by the Texans since the start of the legal tampering period. Houston also agreed to terms with former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry on a two-year, $10 million deal.
