It’s early April, and somewhat surprising NFL trades are still being filed away.
According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the Detroit Lions sent former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday. Okudah gets a fresh start in Atlanta while the Lions, who hope to contend in 2023, recoup draft assets from a former top draft selection.
How will Okudah fit in Atlanta? What does this trade of the cornerback say about where the Lions are in their (probably finished) rebuild?
Let’s dive into all the crucial ins and outs of the Okudah trade for the Falcons and Lions.
The details
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, here’s the compensation from this trade:
Falcons get: CB Jeff Okudah
Lions get: A 2023 fifth-round pick
Atlanta Falcons
A dynamite offseason for the Falcons continues.
After re-signing right tackle Kaleb McGary and bringing in Jessie Bates III in free agency, the Falcons already looked poised to contend for an NFC playoff spot next season. Even with a commitment to the inexperienced Desmond Ridder, a talented offense featuring Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Tyler Allgeier didn’t need much defense to buoy it.
Taking a late-round flier on Okudah is a savvy move that should only continue to give the Falcons quality, complementary balance.
At best, if Okudah finally starts to live up to the potential of a top-three pick, Atlanta has one of the NFL’s better (and young!) cornerback duos on paper. It’d be tough for anyone to be on par with A.J. Terrell and Okudah, who they would certainly extend with a productive 2023. At worst, if Okudah is more of a serviceable starter, the Falcons can count on having more speed and athleticism on the back end.
Given what Okudah endured through injuries, regime change, and recent free-agent signings, I’d be willing to bet a fresh start sees him veer closer toward great promise.
Either way, one of the league’s worst secondaries in 2022 likely won’t stay that way moving forward.
Grade: B+
Detroit Lions
Picture this: The Lions’ rebuild is going so swimmingly that they could afford to trade a No. 3 overall pick who won’t be 25 until next February.
Suppose someone time-traveled and told you that in 2020 when the Lions initially drafted Okudah, you’d have probably laughed in their face. But it’s the truth. This organization was a laughingstock. They had no business giving up on premium-slotted picks and players.
The situation is a little different when you’re the unquestioned NFC North favorite. It’s a little different when you bring in underrated defensive backs like Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, and even C.J. Gardner-Johnson. It’s a little different when the culture Detroit has built makes players like Okudah effectively redundant.
The Lions, a bona fide NFC powerhouse, no longer needed Okudah. And Okudah no longer needed them. This deal is a win-win for both parties and speaks to how far Detroit has come in just three short seasons.
Grade: B
