To get a better look at the Detroit Lions first-round pick Jeff Okudah, let’s take a look at how draft analysts evaluated him in their 2020 NFL Draft guides and website profiles.
The Athletic
Evaluator: Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”
“A one-year starter at Ohio State, Okudah lined up at left cornerback in Hafley’s press-heavy scheme, seeing extensive reps on an island in Cover 1. The Buckeyes have been a cornerback factory when it comes to producing NFL-level players, but none of them were unanimous All-Americans like Okudah, who led the team in passes defended and interceptions in 2019. Okudah owns the athletic twitch to attach himself to receivers and make plays on the football, showing a keen understanding of zone, man and different schemes. He learned from three position coaches in his three seasons in Columbus and his technique quickly caught up with his traits. Overall, Okudah owns the necessary physical and mental makeup to be a No. 1 cornerback early in his NFL career, projecting as one of the best defensive prospects in the 2020 draft class.”
NFL.com
“Head coach and general manager’s dream prospect with blue-chip physical traits, mental makeup and personal character. He has size, length and foot quickness to road-block press release and elite closing burst to close catch windows or eliminate yards after catch. He has room for improvement with his recognition and balance at the top of the route, but quarterbacks rarely target and beat him over the top. He has a rigid adherence to technique, but squeezing coverage even tighter and trusting his traits, talent and recovery speed could make him one of the top shutdown corners in the game.”
Pro Football Focus
“Okudah really does have it all. The ‘cons’ on his scouting report were some of the most difficult to write of any prospect in the class. He not only has a high floor, but everything you want for a high ceiling.”
The Draft Network
“Jeff Okudah is going to be a star at the NFL level — there’s no coverage he can’t play, no role he can’t fill in the secondary. Okudah pairs prototypical size with trust in his technique and dynamic movement skills and should be a lockdown cornerback at the NFL level in just about any system. This is a top of the 1st-round caliber player that will excel in man or zone and can be used to mirror and erase the opposition’s best receiver in the NFL. A future Pro Bowl/All-Pro player.”
Draft Wire
“Perhaps no cornerback in this draft class has the upside that Okudah has. With his size, athleticism, and physicality, he fits the prototype for a top cornerback prospect. If all goes well, he should be able to excel very early in his professional career.”