The Minnesota Vikings have dealt with their share of underperforming high draft picks at cornerback, but they are now considering adding another in Jeff Okudah.
Originally selected by the Detroit Lions with the No. 3 overall pick in 2020, Okudah has played for three teams in his NFL career. Despite re-signing Byron Murphy, the Vikings still need to strengthen their cornerback position. Okudah, who spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans and also played for the Atlanta Falcons, is now visiting Minnesota for a potential free agent signing.
During his time with the Texans, Okudah primarily played special teams, and he faced 11 targets in coverage, allowing a completion rate of 72.7%. Throughout his five seasons in the league, he has allowed a completion rate of over 72% in three of them, with his best season coming in 2022 with the Lions when he allowed only 59.7% completion.
The Vikings are following a similar approach to their process with Jonathan Allen before signing him. However, Okudah’s career has been marred by injuries and inconsistency, which have hindered his effectiveness when on the field. Despite playing 13 games in his rookie year at Ohio State, Okudah has struggled to stay healthy in the NFL, with injuries limiting his time on the field.
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In 2024, the Texans hoped Okudah could take on a larger role, but coverage issues kept him on the sidelines, playing just 77 defensive snaps. Okudah did start nine games for the Falcons in 2023 and played 15 games in 2022, showing flashes of his potential.
Draft analysts raved about Okudah’s physical attributes and mental makeup before the 2020 draft, calling him a “head coach and general manager’s dream prospect.” His size, length, foot speed, and ability to shut down wide receivers earned him high praise. If he can stay healthy and regain his previous form, he could still develop into a top-tier cornerback in the NFL.
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