In the days leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions seemingly talked to anyone who would listen when it came to moving up to the number 3 pick. But when no team made an offer, Lions general manager Bob Quinn took the top player left on his board, Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah.
Here at Lions Wire, we gave the pick an “A+.” And the reviews from the national media were almost just as positive
Starting with ESPN, the worldwide leader believes that the Lions got “good value” and filled a “pressing need” with the Okudah selection:
The Lions get a good value and fill a pressing need. They allowed an NFL-most 284.4 yards per game and tied for last in interceptions with seven last year. They traded their best corner in Darius Slay to Philadelphia, and Rashaan Melvin signed with Jacksonville. While they signed Desmond Trufant to a two-year deal, he didn’t play at a high level in 2019 and isn’t considered a No.1 like Okudah.
Pro Football Focus was also a big fan of the pick, calling it “absolutely the best move” for the team:
Since they didn’t trade back — as some rumors were suggesting — taking Jeff Okudah was absolutely the best move for the Detroit Lions. He can play in any scheme you ask, but my goodness is he stingy in press-man coverage. Okudah allowed under half a yard per coverage snap in press coverage in 2019 and didn’t allow a single explosive play (both of which are by far the best marks in the 2020 draft class). As we at PFF have said in the past, Okudah is the Michelangelo’s David of cornerbacks. He was built for the position, and he’s going to fit like a glove in Matt Patricia’s man-heavy defense.
USA Today’s Draft Wire gave the selection an “A”:
Trading down was their ideal scenario, but the Lions still get a shutdown corner to replace Darius Slay.
The Ringer was a big fan of the Okduah selection as well, giving the Lions an “A-” grade (though the site did fault the Lions for trading down, perhaps without realizing that no trade down offers came the Lions’ way):
The Lions didn’t hide their desire to trade down but apparently couldn’t find a deal to their liking. Instead, they took Okudah, the player most people had projected to go in this spot. The former Buckeye brings a scintillating blend of foot quickness, explosive speed, agility, and all-around playmaking talent. He’s got good size, is physical in press coverage, mirrors easily in man-to-man looks, and is measured and methodical in half-turn coverage. And importantly―particularly with Darius Slay now in Philadelphia―Okudah is a game-ready starter from day one and brings Pro Bowl potential early in his career. I’ve got to ding the Lions slightly for failing to secure a workable trade-back option (especially since they likely would’ve had a shot to land Okudah a few picks later), but it’s tough to fault them for grabbing one of the best players in this draft.
Sports Illustrated also liked the pick, but perhaps not quite as much as the others. SI had lots of praise for Okduah, but gave the pick a “B+” grade:
No team played more man coverage than the Lions last season, which is a philosophy that head coach Matt Patricia brought over from New England. In that same vein, Patricia also puts a huge emphasis on matchups, having specific corners travel almost everywhere with specific receivers week after week. You must have a true No. 1 corner to consistently do this. What reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore has brought to New England, the Lions hope Okudah will bring to Detroit. He’s a slightly different style of corner than the physical Gilmore; what scouts liked most about Okudah is he has the agility to mirror wide receivers. The Lions, who like to have multiple safeties helping in coverage, often instruct their corners to play in the low hip pocket of their man. Okudah shined with that at Ohio State. The only negative here is Detroit GM Bob Quinn probably felt he could get a quality corner a few picks later in the draft, but he did not get an enticing enough package to trade down.
One of the lowest grades was from Pete Prisco of CBS Sports. He thought the Lions should have passed on Okduah and drafted Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown instead. He gave the Okduah pick a “B”:
I think they should have taken Derrick Brown. When in doubt, take the big guy. I don’t think you can pass on big people that play like Derrick Brown.