Last year when the Detroit Lions were on the clock with the third overall pick during the 2020 NFL Draft, most people knew that the team desperately needed a cornerback to replace Darius Slay. Who the team dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles for multiple picks. Jeff Okudah was projected as a top five overall pick and didn’t have a single pass interference call in college. The interest between and the Detroit Lions and Jeff Okudah was mutual.

Lions fan everywhere were excited to have their guy.

It was a rough 2020-2021 season for the rookie, only playing nine games due to injury and ending the year with only one interception. The transition from college to the NFL is especially hard on cornerbacks, who have to adjust to the speed of the game plus guard the best wide receivers in the world. Okudah faced plenty criticism throughout the season but still continued to handle the adversity correctly by continuing to work hard. It’s not Okudah’s fault he was chosen third overall considering he was selected higher than his former Ohio State teammate Denzel Ward (4th overall) in 2018 and Jalen Ramsey (5th overall) in 2016.

_{Davante Adams vs Jeff Okudah}

It wasn’t an easy task for the rookie Okudah, when Matt Patricia puts you on arguably the best wide receiver in the league this past season. Regardless it’s something that he can learn from and with a completely new regime, he can value his worth to new faces. With Justin Coleman and Desmond Trufant both gone, Okudah’s role will step up immensely.

2021 is going to be a make or break year for the former third overall pick Jeff Okudah.