Jeff Okudah

Okudah was the third overall pick in 2020 by Detroit but was limited to just 10 games in his first two seasons as injuries derailed his development. He returned to action in 2022, posting 73 tackles, seven pass defenses, a forced fumble and a pick-six, but he struggled down the stretch and was dealt to Atlanta for a fifth-round pick this offseason. The Ohio State product has the pedigree of a top-flight defensive back, and with Casey Hayward no longer in the picture, Okudah has a clear path to the starting cornerback spot opposite of A.J. Terrell.

The nightmare continued for Okudah in 2022 thanks to a torn Achilles suffered in Week 1. However, there remains hope that the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft will become an effective piece in Detroit's new 4-3 defense thanks to a healthy offseason. While he probably won't be pushing Amani Oruwariye for No. 1 corner status anytime soon, Okudah seems on track for a key role in the Lions' secondary entering the upcoming campaign.

One of the biggest storylines for the Lions in 2020 was the play of Okudah, who Pro Football Focus graded as one of the NFL's worst cornerbacks. However, the third overall pick in last year's draft may not have been set up to succeed due to lack of a traditional first offseason and an incompetent coaching staff. There also wasn't a preseason to acclimate to the pros, and a hamstring injury forced Okudah to sit out Week 1. If that wasn't enough, he allegedly played through a groin issue he suffered at Ohio State that prompted him to have season-ending surgery in December. Fortunately, reports suggest he'll be healthy for training camp. Whether that's enough to get Okudah on track to fulfill his draft standing remains to be seen, but he did average more than five tackles per game as a rookie.

Taking Okudah third overall in the draft was one of the best possible transition plans from longtime stalwart Darius Slay, and the Lions now have some upside at cornerback between the rookie, a former Pro Bowler (Desmond Trufant) and one of the highest-paid slot cornerbacks league-wide (Justin Coleman). However, it's probably not wise to expect any of them - Okudah included - to instantly pick up where Slay left off. While the Ohio State product could develop into that caliber of player in time, he probably won't be a shutdown corner from Day 1. But that might actually be good for Okudah's fantasy output in 2020 if quarterbacks aren't deliberately avoiding his side of the field. Not only is Detroit's other expected starter on the outside, Trufant, no slouch in his own right, but someone with Okudah's physicality should have no problem posting strong tackle numbers if given the opportunity. With the upside to also pick off a few passes, Okudah makes for an intriguing IDP prospect right off the bat.