Tag: Jeff Okudah

TeX’s and O’s: Texans gamble on coaching and upside at cornerback

The Texans have forged ahead with a new vision for DeMeco Ryans’ defense, most notably at cornerback.

It’s an unconventional strategy.

Many NFL teams who overachieve are prone to double down on their recipe for the following season. It’s hard to stray away from the formula that brought unexpected success and instead go onto a different and unknown path. The New York Giants are a notable example with their massive extension to quarterback Daniel Jones that, despite evidence it may not be the wisest idea, felt necessary after they made the playoffs in 2022.

The Houston Texans have done the exact opposite. Instead of doubling down and re-signing key players, they’ve forged ahead with a new vision for head coach DeMeco Ryans’ defense despite a strong finish at 10-7 and a playoff victory in his debut season. The team appears willing to take risks for a Super Bowl run rather than merely sit content with their 2023 success.

Nowhere is that more evident than at cornerback.

Steven Nelson had an incredible 2023 season as the Texans’ starting cornerback across from sophomore breakout star Derek Stingley Jr. He started 16 games and had a career-high four interceptions, five including his incredible postseason pick-six of Cleveland Browns’ quarterback Joe Flacco in the wild-card round. Nelson provided consistent, above-average cornerback play and was admirable in filling in during Stingley’s mid-season absence.

Rather than bring back that known commodity, Houston opted to go in a different direction. Nelson would have been one of the more expensive free agent cornerback signings and also represents a potential declining asset who is 31. Instead, they took two apparent dart throws at the position.

The Texans signed Atlanta Falcons free agent cornerback Jeff Okudah during the first week of free agency and Carolina Panthers free agent cornerback C.J. Henderson the week after. Those two players were, coincidentally, the first two cornerbacks drafted in the 2020 NFL draft at Nos. 3 and 9 overall, respectively.

Neither of the former top-10 picks lived up to their billing so far, though. Okudah has only two career interceptions and 13 passes defended in just 31 career starts between the Detroit Lions and the Falcons. Henderson has three interceptions and 16 passes defended in 32 starts of his own between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Panthers. Both have played for multiple coordinators, struggled to stay healthy and ultimately have been unable to provide consistent play at the NFL level.

That doesn’t scare Ryans and the Texans.

Before he was drafted, NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein wrote the following of Okudah:

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”. His sentiment was eerily similar for Henderson, described as a “silky smooth boundary cornerback with mirror-and-match footwork and the agility and athleticism to stay connected to routes. He has NFL recovery burst and the long speed to track vertical routes downfield.

After a season that saw Texans defenders such as Nelson, Jonathan Greenard, Blake Cashman, Christian Harris and Sheldon Rankins play some of the best football of their careers, Houston is ready to bet on themselves again. How they’ve coveted these high football trait players is a testament to how this coaching staff likely views themselves and what they believe the environment in Houston can generate.

Okudah and Henderson’s traits are evident on film. It’s believable that a staff that saw such enormous success in Year 1 may also believe they can be the first to wield these players consistently.

Okudah is a great player in man coverage and his size and speed combination is a tough draw for opposing wide receivers when he’s allowed to play simple. He’s also shown the added ability to defend when the nickel when called upon. This play of Okudah shadowing 2023 first round receiver Jordan Addison stride-for-stride before extending for a great play on the football is a great example of what Houston’s staff will look for.

Henderson has also shown flashes on film, particularly during his first year in Carolina. When he was asked to play as a No. 2 cornerback next to Jaycee Horn, he put together a career best season in Steve Wilks’ defense. His closing speed to break on the football is evident and he reads plays exceptionally well as they develop.

Both players will likely be tasked to play plenty of man coverage and quarters coverage alongside Stingley. If Stingley travels with the best receiver, as he did at the end of 2023, this assignment becomes even more straightforward. Ryans will task these talented young cornerbacks to take care of the man in front of them and play to their instincts, all while rarely facing a huge mismatch.

The scheme not only empowers their athleticism to shine but the environment with Stingley and a formidable pass rush that includes Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter will shield defensive backs to an extent on passing downs.

These players also notably fit the Houston defensive mantra of SWARM.

This shows up on Henderson’s film quite a bit. His ability to quickly read plays translates well with his willingness to tackle and kill plays that bounce to the outside. Whether it was Nico Collins, Jaylen Waddle or Jameson Williams, Henderson showed an ability to react quickly and kill screen plays. That desire and overall willingness to contribute in tackling and run support matters. There’s a similar willingness shown in Okudah who, despite being billed as a premier athlete to cover receivers, is also willing to come downhill and crash on opposing running backs.

Once you consider these thoughts, the Texans’ moves that appear to be a gamble on the surface appear far more calculated.

Coach Ryans will task two demonstrably talented and athletic corners in Okudah (6’1″, 205lb) and Henderson (6’1″, 204lb) to battle for the starting cornerback job opposite of one of the league’s premier corners. The scheme will encourage both to play fluid, fast, and take advantage of the talents that had them drafted so highly in the first place. While Stingley travels with the top receiver and the pass rush generates favorable looks, either player will be incredibly well positioned to have the best season of their career in 2024, if they can stay healthy.

Essentially, a very similar premise to the eco-system that saw great athletes like Greenard and Cashman earn huge paydays this past season. Great athletes, in good environments, are empowered to do what they do best.

While the Texans look to leap towards Super Bowl contention, these types of moves are necessary. They can’t field a team of All-Stars at every position and betting on surroundings and development will be required to maximize the roster. Surplus value has to be found and it appears the place they’ll expect it is cornerback.

Betting on DeMeco Ryans and his star-studded surrounding roster on defense, and once considered top-tier talent at the position is an avenue for general manager Nick Caserio to find just that. Fans will have to wait for training camp to see how the moves pay off.

Former Ohio State cornerback signs with Houston Texans

Former Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah has signed a one-year deal with the Houston Texans in free agency.

The NFL free agency frenzy kicked off on Monday which saw a former Buckeye fan favorite land a contract with a new team.

That is Jeff Okudah who signed a one-year, $4.75 million deal with the Houston Texans that is worth up to $6 million with a snap count incentive.  It is a new start for Okudah who returns to Texas where he grew up.

Okudah arrived at Ohio State with a lot of expectations as a five-star recruit. He lived up to those lofty expectations as Okudah was a lockdown corner in his time in Columbus and one of the leaders of an outstanding defense in his junior season in 2019.

Following a stellar career at Ohio State, Okudah was drafted with the third overall pick in the 2020 draft by the Detroit Lions. Okudah unfortunately dealt with injuries at the start of career as he suffered season-ending injuries in his first two seasons.

After three seasons in Detroit, Okudah was traded to the Atlanta Falcons where he appeared in 13 games with nine starts this season.

Okudah’s new start in Houston is intriguing in particular due to DeMeco Ryans who led a quick turnaround in just his first season as head coach of the Texans and is considered one of the best defensive minds in football. Perhaps, the former Buckeye star can fulfill his potential in Houston under Ryans’ tutelage.

2024 NFL free agency: Texans get C+ for Day 1

The Houston Texans kicked off free agency with a mixed bag of signings that left fans wanting more from the front office.

NFL free agency kicked off Monday with the first day of legal tampering, a window in which the NFL allows for free agents to openly negotiate with teams and agree in principle to their respective new deals.

All eyes were on the Houston Texans with their cap space and reported interest in big-name players like defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and running back Saquon Barkley.

However, when the tampering window opened at noon ET, the Texans appeared to be running a tight ship on the contract values they were willing to hand out. High-profile players like Wilkins and Barkley signed elsewhere, whereas the Texans’ first move of the day was to bring back former second-round defensive back and special teamer Lonnie Johnson.

General manager Nick Caserio agreed to a deal with former first-round pick Jeff Okudah later in the afternoon before then agreeing to add former Tennessee Titans defensive end Denico Autry. Bargain shopping continued with a deal for defensive back/special teams player Mike Ford.

Other than Autry, the Texans’ first moves of the 2024 free agency period were all depth or special teams signings.

The Texans made their first semi-major signing in the evening, when they agreed to a deal with former Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair on a three-year, $34 deal deal to reunite with DeMeco Ryans – who were both in San Francisco earlier in Al-Shaair’s career. Al-Shaair is a solid addition to tandem up with Christian Harris, after the Texans lost Blake Cashman to the Minnesota Vikings.

Houston capped off the day with two other deals: former All-Pro Kansas City Chiefs punter Tommy Townsend and wide receiver Noah Brown, who was one of the most-targeted Texans wideouts in 2023. The Texans lost veteran punter Cam Johnston to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the day.

This is business as usual for Caserio and staff: Signing a lot of bargain players at deals that are not over the top but can provide valuable play. All in all, the Texans get a C+ for Day 1. Losing guys like defensive end Jonathan Greenard, Cashman and running back Devin Singletary certainly hurts, as well as swinging big and missing on players like Barkley and Wilkins.

Day 2 will certainly be another worth watching, as there is still a plethora of talent left out there.

Ex-Falcons CB Jeff Okudah to sign one-year deal with Texans

Ex-Falcons CB Jeff Okudah is signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans, per report

The Atlanta Falcons went all in on getting quarterback Kirk Cousins on the opening day of free agency, agreeing to terms on a four-year $180 million contract. Cousins was the best quarterback on the market and fills a huge need for Atlanta.

While the team was busy recruiting Cousins, the Houston Texans snagged former Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah. The former No. 3 overall pick has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Texans, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday afternoon.

Okudah’s contract could be worth up to $6 million in incentives, per Schefter. The Falcons acquired Okudah via trade last offseason after he spent the first three seasons of his career in Detroit.

The former Ohio State star has been hindered by injuries for much of his career and missed time to begin the 2023 season due to a training camp injury. Atlanta will likely add a cornerback in free agency or the draft to pair with A.J. Terrell on the outside.

Second-year cornerback Clark Phillips III came on strong at the end of the year and could be one option to replace Okudah next season.

These 18 Falcons players are about to be free agents

These 18 Falcons players will be free agents starting on Wednesday, March 13

The NFL’s 2024 league year begins in a few days and teams have already started trimming their rosters to free up salary cap space. The Atlanta Falcons released tight end Jonnu Smith and re-signed three others, bringing their cap total to roughly $37.2 million.

Any player without a contract on March 13 will become a free agent, although teams can start negotiating contracts on March 11. The Falcons have 18 players set to hit free agency, including defensive lineman Calais Campbell and cornerback Jeff Okudah.

Here’s a rundown of all 18 free agents (each player is labeled as unrestricted (UFA), restricted (RFA), or exclusive rights (ERFA):

Chargers pegged as potential landing spot for two cornerbacks

The Chargers need to shore up the cornerback room this offseason.

The Chargers will be in the market for cornerbacks. Michael Davis is set to be a free agent and the positional group could benefit from additional depth for defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Pro Football Focus suggests Bills’ Dane Jackson and Falcons’ Jeff Okudah as two options.

Here is what PFF said about Jackson:

The Chargers in this scenario add a young cornerback who was quickly trusted to log snaps in Sean McDermott’s defense. Jackson is a bit light but has good stop-and-start ability, closing well from off coverage.

Across four seasons, Jackson has appeared in 52 games with 28 starts. He posted 152 tackles, 28 passes defended and three interceptions.

For being a former seventh-round pick, Jackson has had a solid career.

As for Okudah, he was a first-round pick by the Lions in the 2020 NFL draft. But he was plagued by injuries and underwhelming play and was eventually traded to the Falcons last year.

Okudah’s play in coverage is hit or miss, but he is great against the run, which the Chargers could use on the back end.

Best former Ohio State football players not in any college football video game

Best Buckeyes not in any College Football video game #GoBucks

A teaser trailer dropped for the new upcoming EA Sports College Football 25 video game, and despite seeing very little gameplay and details, the anticipation is at an all-time high. At this point, gamers who have waited a decade just want the College Football Playoff and transfer portal added and would be happy with the graphics from the past generation of consoles.

According to the trailer, we can expect a full reveal this May and the game to hit shelves this summer, but if you are like me, you are too much of a pessimist to believe it. Nonetheless, it is fun to take this opportunity to look back on some of the stars that we missed out on seeing on the virtual gridiron the last ten years.

When thinking of the former Buckeyes who would light it up in video game land, it is easy to think of skill position players, but I want to dive into both sides of the ball. Here are the top five guys I am most upset about missing out on.

Falcons rule out center Drew Dalman, CB Jeff Okudah for Week 14

The Falcons have ruled out center Drew Dalman and cornerback Jeff Okudah for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons will be a bit shorthanded when they host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14. Five starters won’t be suiting up for Sunday’s NFC South matchup.

Center Drew Dalman and cornerback Jeff Okudah are officially out, according to the team’s inactives list. The Falcons previously ruled out linebacker Nate Landman, defensive lineman David Onyemata and right tackle Kaleb McGary.

With Okudah out, look for rookie Clark Phillips III and veteran Tre Flowers to get more playing time on Sunday. Filling in for Dalman will likely be backup Ryan Neuzil.

Sunday’s game kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Check out the team’s updated 53-man roster, injury report and depth chart heading into Week 14.

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Falcons release inactives list for Week 14 game vs. Buccaneers

The Falcons have released their inactives list for Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Atlanta Falcons (6-6) have released their inactives list for Sunday’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7). Five starters have been ruled out, including center Drew Dalman, cornerback Jeff Okudah and defensive lineman David Onyemata.

Cornerback A.J. Terrell is good to go after suffering a concussion in Week 13. Check out the Falcons’ full inactives list for Week 14 below.

Falcons name CB Jeff Okudah game-day captain for Week 12

Falcons name CB Jeff Okudah game-day captain for Week 12

As they do each week, the Atlanta Falcons named one game-day captain for Sunday’s matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Cornerback Jeff Okudah will serve as the team’s sixth captain in Week 12, per Falcons beat reporter Terrin Wacck.

The Falcons have lost three straight games and will look to turn things around against their most hated rival on Sunday. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The winner of this Week 12 matchup will be in first place in the NFC South. Check out the team’s inactives list for Sunday’s game.

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