Jeff Okudah - Pro Football Rumors

2024 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position:
- At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
- A 75% snap average across all three seasons
- At least 50% in each of first three seasons
Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position.

With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised
LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline

* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022

Falcons To Acquire CB Jeff Okudah From Lions

April 11th, 2023 at 11:11am CST by Adam La Rose

The Falcons have been busy on the defensive side of the ball so far this offseason, and Tuesday has seen another significant move made in that regard. Atlanta is acquiring cornerback Jeff Okudah from the Lions, per ESPN’s Field Yates (Twitter link). Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets that Detroit will receive a fifth-round pick in return.

Okudah entered the league in 2020 with sky-high expectations as the third overall pick following a standpoint career at Ohio State. Things haven’t gone according to plan for him, however, with injuries becoming a mainstay of his pro tenure. Pelissero notes that the Lions will clear all of the $5.1MM remaining in guaranteed money on Okudah’s deal in 2023, the final season of his rookie contract (Twitter link).

While that financial benefit is tangible, this deal still represents a hugely underwhelming return on investment for the Lions considering Okudah’s draft stock. The 24-year-old has been limited to just 22 games in his first three seasons due to multiple ailments – including an Achilles tear – earlier in his career. He did, however, manage to suit up for 15 contests in 2022, a season in which he recorded 73 tackles, one interception and seven pass deflections.

In coverage, Okudah flashed some of the potential he showed in college. He allowed a completion percentage of 59.7% and a passer rating of 87.6, figures which comfortably outpace those which he had produced in limited action during his first two seasons. He will now look to build off that success in Atlanta in advance of reaching free agency for the first time.

The Falcons have made a number of big splashes on defense in 2023, including a four-year, $64MM deal with safety Jessie Bates. Okudah will join a new-look secondary which has also seen the arrival of fellow former Lion Mike Hughes at the cornerback spot. They will join former first-rounder A.J. Terrell at the position, as the Falcons look to take a significant step forward at all three levels of their defense this year.

For Detroit meanwhile, this move creates a vacancy on a unit which struggled mightily in 2022. The Lions ranked 30th in the league against the pass last year, and a number of changes have been made to their cornerbacks room as a result. That includes the signing of Cameron Sutton as well as Emmanuel Moseley. Okudah joins Hughes and Amani Oruwariye as incumbents who will be playing elsewhere in 2023. Speculation could also pick up that a rookie could be in play for Detroit at the position.

The Lions own the No. 6 and No. 18 picks, which could put them in range for a few different cornerback options. The former selection would likely allow them to add the top prospect available at the position, presumably either Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzalez. With Okudah no longer in the picture, another long-term, starting-caliber investment on the perimeter would come as little surprise. Such a move carries risk, though, as evidenced by the way in which his time in the Motor City has played out and now come to an end.

Lions CB Jeff Okudah Changes Agents

February 19th, 2023 at 11:44am CST by Rory Parks

Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has changed representation. As Liz Mullen of the Sports Business Journal reported earlier this month, Okudah, who was previously represented by Klutch Sports Group, has hired Kevin Conner of Universal Sports Management as his agent (Twitter link).

Okudah’s move is notable because, as a 2020 draft choice (No. 3 overall), he is now eligible for an extension. However, it seems unlikely that Detroit will engage in contract talks at this point, as it is not even clear if the club will exercise Okudah’s fifth-year option for 2024. That is despite the fact that the option would come with the lowest-possible salary for a 2020 first-round cornerback ($11.5MM), as Okudah has neither achieved Pro Bowl acclaim nor accrued enough playing time to put himself into a higher salary tier.

Even though the $11.5M salary would be fully-guaranteed, that figure would represent a bargain for a No. 1 corner, which the Lions’ previous Bob Quinn/Matt Patricia regime obviously hoped Okudah would be by this stage of his career. Unfortunately, he missed some time due to injury in his rookie campaign, and he played just one game in 2021 due to a torn Achilles.

The Ohio State product showed some promise in 2022, starting all 15 games in which he appeared and yielding a modest 59.7% completion percentage and 87.6 rating to opposing quarterbacks. Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics, though, were not particularly fond of his efforts. PFF assigned him a subpar 59.4 overall grade, with a strong run defense mark of 74.0 helping to cover up a poor 54.5 coverage mark. Plus, he was benched late in the year and missed the last game of the season due to an elbow ailment.

When asked in January about his plans for Okudah’s fifth-year option, GM Brad Holmes simply said that he would make that decision “at the appropriate time,” and that there were “some good and some not-so-good” aspects of Okudah’s 2022 performance (via Colton Pouncy of The Athletic (subscription required)). Pouncy believes that Holmes will not exercise the option and will allow Okudah to go into 2023 as a pending free agent.

Should the Lions ultimately elect to open extension discussions, though, Okudah will be represented by an agency that has had recent success in negotiating the contracts of defensive backs like Charvarius Ward, Tre’Davious White, and Jamal Adams.

Lions CB Jeff Okudah Likely Out For Week 12

November 22nd, 2022 at 8:56am CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions will in all likelihood be without their top cornerback when they take on the Bills on Thanksgiving. Jeff Okudah is dealing with a concussion, and will have little (if any) chance of being cleared in time for Thursday’s game.

Okudah exited Detroit’s win over the Giants on Sunday after a collision with teammate Will Harris and did not return. Given the short turnaround – not to mention the parameters of the league’s new concussion protocols – it would be nearly impossible for the Ohio State product to suit up in two days’ time.

Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed as much when speaking to the media about Okudah’s availability. “He’ll be out I’m pretty sure,” he said, via the team’s website. “We just talked about it; I don’t think there is any way possible he can play.”

Injuries are nothing new for the 23-year-old. He missed seven games during his rookie campaign, and essentially all of last season due to an Achilles tear. That led to serious questions about his ability to recover in full and live up to his draft stock as a former No. 3 pick. He impressed the team during the summer, though, and was assured of a starting spot on the boundary during the lead-in to the season.

Okudah had played nearly every snap this season before suffering the injury on Sunday, something which was a welcomed sight for the Lions given his importance to the team’s league-worst defense. He has racked up 53 tackles, five pass breakups and one interception (returned for a touchdown). Detroit will be hard-pressed to replace that production in his absence.

The team will turn to Jerry Jacobs, Mike Hughes and Amani Oruwariye at corner. The latter had a breakout campaign last season, but has taken a major step back in 2022, to the point of being benched for one game and finding himself on the trade market earlier this year. What would already have been a difficult task in slowing the Bills’ high-octane offense will thus be made even more challenging as the Lions look for a fourth straight win on Thursday.

Latest On Lions CB Jeff Okudah

September 3rd, 2022 at 7:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

A number of new faces have raised expectations for the Lions in 2022, but the return of a familiar one could give the team a significant boost in the secondary. Cornerback Jeff Okudah is in line to start the season at full health, which will allow him to occupy the position the team envisioned for him in during the 2020 draft.

The No. 3 selection in that year’s draft, Okudah’s NFL career has been marred by injuries. He missed seven games as a rookie, then suffered a torn Achilles during Detroit’s season opener last year. That substantial amount of time spent on the sidelines has derailed his development, and led to questions about where he would line up upon his return to health.

In June, it was reported that the team was not considering a position change in the wake of potential mobility concerns. Slated to remain a boundary corner, then, the Ohio State product entered training camp and the preseason with a perceived need to reclaim his starting spot. His summer performances have allowed him to do just that.

Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed, via team reporter Tim Twentyman, that Okudah will remain a first-teamer when the regular season begins. “I thought he did some good things,” Campbell said after the team’s preseason finale. “I feel like he’s been trending in the right direction now for two weeks.”

Okudah would provide the Lions with an effective 1-2 tandem at the position should he return to form. Amani Oruwariye enjoyed a breakout season in Okudah’s absence last year, posting six interceptions and 11 pass deflections. That performance could land him an extension, though Okudah could be on his rookie deal for three more years if Detroit picks up his fifth-year option.

Much of that decision, of course, will depend on his ability to recover from a major injury and live up to his draft stock. With a starting spot in hand, he will have every opportunity to do so.

CB Rumors: Hill, Sutton, Pats, Colts, Lions

August 10th, 2022 at 11:41am CST by Sam Robinson

After seeing Troy Hill join the Browns in free agency last year, the Rams entered the 2022 league year eyeing Cleveland’s cornerback decisions. The Rams began discussing the idea of reacquiring Hill in early March, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic notes, and the team monitored the Browns’ draft to determine if it was a realistic move (subscription required). If the Browns drafted a cornerback on either Day 1 or Day 2, Rodrigue adds the Rams planned to make a move for Hill. Martin Emerson‘s third-round Cleveland arrival led to L.A. brass bringing back the veteran slot cornerback. The Rams, who had lost Darious Williams in free agency, sent a 2023 fifth-rounder to the Browns for Hill. Although Hill spent time in Youngstown, Ohio, growing up, the 30-year-old defender wants to stay with the Rams beyond his current contract — a two-year, $9MM deal that expires after the 2022 season.

Here is the latest from the cornerback scene across the league:

Cameron Sutton is going into the final year of his second Steelers contract and, with Joe Haden out of the picture, will go into the season as the team’s top cornerback. Sutton expects to go into the season without a new deal, but the now-Omar Khan-led Steelers have extended three contract-year players — Minkah Fitzpatrick, Chris Boswell, Diontae Johnson — in recent weeks. Sutton has confirmed he and the team have not discussed an extension, via Mark Kaboly of The Athletic. The sixth-year corner also is expected to spend most of his time in the slot this season, lining up on the outside in base sets and moving inside — with Levi Wallace and Ahkello Witherspoon outside — in sub-packages.
The Patriots have primarily used Jonathan Jones as a slot cornerback. His 2019 extension came as a result of slot play, and Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-tier cover man in 2020. But New England has been using Jones on the outside in recent days at camp, Doug Kyed of PFF notes, with third-round rookie Marcus Jones working in the slot. The Pats have been searching for an outside corner alongside Jalen Mills, and the recently unretired Malcolm Butler has yet to seize that gig. Marcus Jones is also viewed as the likely Pats punt returner, per Kyed.
Will Harris has worked as a safety during his first three seasons, but the fourth-year Lions defender is now battling former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah for an outside cornerback spot, Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com notes. Harris started all 17 games for the Lions last season, but in addition to re-signing Tracy Walker, Detroit added ex-Baltimore safety DeShon Elliott. Okudah losing this competition would be a massive disappointment, given his draft slot, but ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds the Ohio State product is not being restricted by his 2021 Achilles rupture and is firmly in the Lions’ plans. Detroit’s first “unofficial” depth chart has Harris ahead of Okudah, alongside corners Amani Oruwariye and slot A.J. Parker.
The Colts may be ready to declare a winner in the battle to determine their third primary cornerback. Veteran addition Brandon Facyson is likely to play alongside Kenny Moore and Stephon Gilmore, Joel Erickson of the Indianapolis Star notes. Facyson, a Gus Bradley-system vet who has been with the new Colts DC with the Chargers and Raiders, appears to be beating out 2020 sixth-round pick Isaiah Rodgers. Largely a backup before starting nine Raiders games last year, Facyson signed a one-year, $3.84MM deal this offseason.
Darqueze Dennard spent 2021 with four teams — the Cardinals, Colts, Giants and 49ers — and played in just two games. But the 49ers, with K’Waun Williams now a Bronco, have Dennard in pole position to be their slot corner, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes. A former first-round pick, Dennard spent years as the Bengals’ primary slot. The 31-year-old defender is attempting to fend off rookies Samuel Womack and Qwuantrezz Knight.

Latest On Lions’ Jeff Okudah

June 3rd, 2022 at 8:57am CST by Adam La Rose

The Lions’ defense has made a significant addition this offseason with the selection of Aidan Hutchinson in the draft. The return to full strength of another recent highly-touted pick could provide another boost to the unit.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah is currently with the Lions during the team’s OTAs as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles. While progress is being made on that front, the team is eyeing training camp as the point at which he is able to resume a full workload, per Justin Rogers of the Detroit News.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury in Week 1, ending his second NFL season essentially before it started. He was also limited to nine games as a rookie, so he has had a limited opportunity to showcase the skillset which made him the No. 3 pick in 2020. Head coach Dan Campbell expressed optimism that Okudah will be able to recover in full by July.

“We’re not worried about Jeff’s movement skills” he said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “You watch him, with his footwork and the things that he’s doing, he can do all that… When the time’s right, to go full-speed when we get him in camp, he’ll be ready.”

With concerns lingering about the Ohio State product’s mobility after the injury, where Okudah lines up upon his return remains an important question. On that point, Rogers reports that neither a position change to nickel corner or safety “is being immediately considered” right now. That would leave Okudah on the outside, pairing him with 2021 standout performer Amani Oruwariye as the team’s top corners.

Okudah is currently limited to participating in walkthroughs with the team. While he has yet to set a firm date by which he is hoping to be back to full strength, he echoed Campbell’s optimism with respect to availability in the near future.

“Best way to describe it, I’m going to be ready when it’s time to be ready” he said. “I’m confident in that.”

Lions’ Jeff Okudah Done For Year

September 13th, 2021 at 9:15am CST by Zachary Links

Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah has been diagnosed with a ruptured Achilles (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero). That’s a season-ender for the former No. 3 overall pick and the Lions will place him on injured reserve later today.

Okudah missed seven games as a rookie due to groin and shoulder issues. He was looking for a healthy bounce-back year, but that was all derailed during Sunday’s season opener against the 49ers. First, Okudah surrendered a 79-yard score to Deebo Samuel and got an earful for it on the sideline. Then, the youngster was forced out of action.

There weren’t many knocks on Okudah leading up to the 2020 draft with experts lauding his tools and potential. The upside is still there, of course, but he’ll have to stay healthy and play with more consistency when he comes back.

“I would put Okudah down as the safest [defensive player in this draft],” NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah said before the 2020 Draft. “I know exactly what position he plays, I’ve seen him play that position against elite competition and I’ve seen him play at a very high, consistent level. To me, Okudah is the safest.”

For now, the Lions will have to look elsewhere for coverage help. The Okudah-less Lions have one week to go before their Monday night matchup against the rival Packers.

Torn Achilles For Lions’ Jeff Okudah?

September 12th, 2021 at 4:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions fear that cornerback Jeff Okudah has suffered an Achilles injury (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). That’s the word from head coach Dan Campbell who added that Okudah will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the severity of the tear.

Groin and shoulder injuries limited Okudah’s rookie season to just nine games. This time around, it’s a new malady, suffered midway through the season opener against the 49ers. Even before the injury, it wasn’t a banner day for Okudah, who surrendered a 79-yard score to Deebo Samuel.

“I don’t want to make excuses [for Okudah],” Campbell said. “But at the same time he’s in Year Two. He made some young errors — that’s what he did.”

Okudah — the No. 3 overall pick in 2020 — was the highest cornerback selected since Shawn Springs 20+ years ago. The Lions are still waiting to see him at his best. As a rookie, he allowed a 77% completion rate on passes thrown his way for a 118 QB rating figure on such throws.

No matter the outcome of the MRI, the Lions will be without Okudah’s services for a while. They’ll try and get to the .500 mark on Monday 9/20 when they face the rival Packers.

Jeff Okudah To Undergo Surgery

December 12th, 2020 at 3:26pm CST by Sam Robinson

Jeff Okudah‘s rookie season is over. The No. 3 overall pick will undergo groin surgery, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports, ending his initial Lions season after nine games.

This injury has bothered Okudah since his Ohio State tenure, interestingly, and has worsened this season, Birkett adds. Undergoing this procedure now would put Okudah in line to return healthy in time for Detroit’s offseason program.

Okudah has dealt with multiple injuries this season. He missed time due to a shoulder issue recently but has recovered from that malady. Overall, Okudah — the highest cornerback selected since Shawn Springs 23 years ago — did not play especially well this season. He allowed a 77% completion rate on passes thrown his way, leading a 118 QB rating figure on such throws.

The Lions were not able to use their post-Darius Slay cornerback trio — Okudah, Desmond Trufant, Justin Coleman — together much this year. Trufant has only played six games; Coleman has suited up for just seven.