Three years after drafting Jeff Okudah third overall, the Lions are trading him.
Detroit has dealt the 24-year-old cornerback to the Falcons for a fifth-round pick in this year's draft, according to Adam Schefter. Okudah never found his footing with the Lions after missing significant time due to injuries his first two seasons, and he ended last season on the bench.
The trade creates $5.2 million in cap space this season for the Lions and frees them from having to make a decision on Okudah's fifth-year option for 2024. GM Brad Holmes never seemed inclined to pick it up, given Okudah was drafted by the prior regime.
The Lions also made major upgrades to their secondary in free agency last month. The acquisitions of Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and C.J. Gardner-Johnson knocked Okudah down the depth chart at corner. He likely would have entered camp fighting for a backup job.
Now he'll be eyeing a revival in Atlanta.
Follow 92.9 the Game on Social Media:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitch
Listen live to 92.9 the Game:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker (just say ‘Play NINETY TWO POINT NINE THE GAME’)