Detroit Lions: Six Players to Target in the 2020 NFL Draft
By Bob Heyrman
Jeff Okudah
Yes, another member of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Jeff Okudah is a lockdown corner. The Detroit Lions will be very interested in drafting with their first-round pick.
Okudah is by far the top corner in the 2020 draft class. He’s projected at the moment as a top-five pick. Detroit is desperate to add another playmaker in their secondary that struggles to stop a paper bag blowing in the wind at times.
There is a serious chance that the Lions pro-bowl corner Darius Slay holds out next summer, but unlike last season, the holdout may go into the regular season as he seeks a significant raise. Adding another pro-bowl bid to his resume this season will only fuel the decision to sit out.
Detroit added corner Justin Coleman who is generally working in the slot, has shown flashes of brilliance this season but has also been beat for touchdowns much too often. He’s a good corner, but just last week against the Broncos, he was targeted 5 times and allowed 5 catches totaling 37 yards and a touchdown. He’s allowed 8 touchdowns in ’19, the most of any corner currently on the Detroit Lions.
The Lions drafted Amani Oruwariye with the 146th pick in the draft last season in the fifth round, and he’s played exceptionally well of late for the Lions. Without adding any help this offseason, he is first in line to be a starting outside corner next year for Detroit.
Adding Jeff Okudah through the draft and keeping Darius Slay happy and on the field will make for an outstanding secondary that will excel in Matt Patricia’s man to man defense.
Okudah is rarely targeted as quarterbacks generally opt away from the best corners in the game. He’s made 24 tackles, 3 interceptions and 7 pass breakups in 2019 with Ohio State. He’s a player the Lions could look towards to help bolster the secondary.