The Detroit Lions traded their last first-round pick prior to the arrival of general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. That was cornerback Jeff Okudah, whom the Lions traded to the Atlanta Falcons last summer.
However, on February 16, AtoZ Sports’ Mike Payton listed Okudah as one of four players the Lions should consider re-signing in free agency.
“Jeff Okuadah is not a starting cornerback in the NFL.” Payton wrote, “He’s just not.” “But this doesn’t mean he can’t play football. Okudah has demonstrated on numerous times that he can be successful on the field.
With cornerbacks Kindle Vildor, Jerry Jacobs, and Emmanuel Moseley set to become free agents in March, the Lions must refill their cornerback depth.
The Lions selected Okudah as the third overall choice in the 2020 NFL draft. However, injuries hindered his first two seasons in Detroit, and he struggled in 2022.
Payton made it plain that Okudah is not the Lions’ most important cornerback addition. But if Vildor does not return, Payton believes Okudah can take his spot in the cornerback room.
“The Lions should absolutely prioritize better corners in free agency, but Okudah is a guy that can come along and be a back up guy and part of a rotation,” Payton said in a statement. “I’ve made numerous reasons for the Lions to maintain Kindle Vildor in that role, but Okudah would be a better fit.
“He also has two years of experience with the coaching staff. It would be intriguing to see him work with Aaron Glenn again, and new defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend has a track record of getting the most out of his guys.
On February 8, Pro Football Talk reported that the Lions signed Townsend as their defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach. Townsend has ten seasons of NFL coaching experience and two Super Bowl wins as a player.
