Jeff Okudah will have a new home in 2023.
According to multiple reports, the Detroit Lions will send Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a fifth-round pick in 2023. ESPN's Field Yates said the deal between general managers Brad Holmes of Detroit and Terry Fontenot of Atlanta was "seamless" and "collaborative" on both sides.
Trade: the Falcons are acquiring Lions CB Jeff Okudah, his agent Kevin Conner of @UniSportsMgmt confirmed.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 11, 2023
Conner articulated that the GMs of the two teams involved - Detroits Brad Holmes and Atlantas Terry Fontenot - made it a seamless, collaborative process. The pic.twitter.com/vjSqui79aE
The Lions drafted Okudah with the No. 3 overall pick in 2020. The former Ohio State cornerback was the final of three consecutive Buckeyes to be picked at the start of the draft, as the Cincinnati Bengals selected quarterback Joe Burrow first and the Washington Football Team selected defensive end Chase Young second.
At Ohio State, Okudah was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and a unanimous All-American after he recorded 34 tackles with three interceptions, nine pass breakups and one forced fumble in 2019. Across three seasons with the Buckeyes, the 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback played in 35 contests, collecting 83 tackles, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups and two fumble recoveries.
When Okudah arrived in Detroit, the Lions expected him to become a lockdown No. 1 as the franchise looked to turn the tides with a rebuild. However, Okudah failed to meet those expectations during his time in the Motor City, mainly due to various injuries, including a ruptured Achilles suffered in Week 1 of the 2021 season and a hamstring that has ailed him since his professional career started.
As Okudah approached his fifth-year option, the Lions entered trades for him before they were required to pay Okudah north of $10 million per year over the next two seasons. The deal sends him to the Falcons after three seasons with the Lions in which he appeared in 25 of 50 possible games and collected 124 tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown.
Moments after the trade was announced, Okudah hinted at his excitement to play for the Falcons, In Atlanta, he will line up opposite former Clemson cornerback and 2020 first-round pick A.J. Terrell, who was named a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and continued to improve this past season.
— Jeff Okudah (@jeffokudah) April 11, 2023
