The 2020 NFL Combine concluded their on-field drills on Sunday, this time featuring cornerbacks and safeties. The cornerbacks were first up and didn’t disappoint.
The Lions have a need at corner immediately and potentially long-term depending on what their plans are for Darius Slay, so they were surely looking at this group with high hopes. Let’s take a look at those who earned positive marks.
Jeffrey Okudah, Ohio State
6-1, 205, 40 y/d: 4.48, vertical: 41″, broad: 11’3″
In a recent article, I broke down how Okudah’s performance in every Combine drill added to his already sterling resume that he built over his senior season. In a nutshell, my conclusion was that he is firmly in the mix for the Lions and would be worth the No. 3 overall pick.
Okudah back pedaling and flipping hips pic.twitter.com/x8acqM2Ayv
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) March 1, 2020
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C.J. Henderson, Florida
6-0.5, 204, 40 y/d: 4.39, vertical 37.5, broad: 10’7″
Like Okudah, the Lions reportedly had a meeting with Henderson at the Combine, showing they are doing their homework on the draft’s top cornerbacks. When Henderson took the field in Indianapolis, he put his best foot forward and had a terrific day in timed drills, measurables, and in on-field drills.
On the NFL Network broadcast, Daniels Jeremiah mentioned that he believes Henderson could be “the second corner drafted” indicating that “he’s gonna end up going in the top 15.” If that is his true draft slot, he would be selected almost directly in between the Lions’ first and second-round picks, making the odds of landing him unlikely.
A.J. Terrell, Clemson
6-1, 195, 40y/d: 4.42, vertical: 34.5, broad: 10’9″
The last time most analysts and fans saw Terrell, he was on the wrong end of the National Championship game in what was a difficult night overall for the Tigers. If there were concerns about his performance that night, he helped right the ship at the Combine. Terrell looked smooth in his backpedal, showed off his body control and reliable hands in drills His combination of body type, comfort in press coverage, and athletic ability fits a lot of what the Lions look for in an outside corner.
Michael Ojemudia, Iowa
6-0.5, 200, 40y/d: 4.45, vertical: 36″, broad: 10’2″, 3-cone: 6.87
I don’t want to call Ojemudia a sleeper, as he has been someone the Lions have shown interest in previously, but if the Lions are more interested in a developmental Day 3 corner rather than one at the top of the draft, he’s the guy.
At the Combine, Ojemudia checked every measurable box the Lions look for, height, weight, speed, explosion, and of course the all-important 3-cone time. Add in his Iowa background and there’s a lot to like from the Lions perspective.