The first week of NFL free agency is over, and most of the big names on the market have signed with their new teams. There are, however, still valuable free agents remaining who can make an impact as rotation pieces. There are also plenty of veterans who will sign one-year "prove-it" deals or get a chance to make the active roster during training camp.
One of those names is the former Lions defender Jeff Okudah. The failed third-overall pick is reportedly visiting with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Former Lions and Texans CB Jeff Okudah is visiting today with the Minnesota Vikings.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 17, 2025
NFL News: Jeff Okudah Has a Visit With the Minnesota Vikings
This would be a return to the NFC North for Okudah after two seasons away. The 26-year-old cornerback was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 offseason for a fifth-round pick. He wasn't able to make much of an impact there, either, before signing a one-year contract with the Texans last offseason.
The former Ohio State star had the worst season of his career in Houston last season. He landed on the injured reserve after Week 1 and had to miss the next nine games of the season. Upon his return, he played 78 defensive snaps and received a 30.8 grade on Pro Football Focus.
Understandably, the Texans weren't too interested in re-signing Okudah to a new deal. The Vikings, who already signed Isaiah Rodgers and Tavierre Thomas to their cornerback rotation, are reportedly considering adding another depth piece to their CB room.
This means that they are likely moving on from their aging defenders like Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and Fabian Moreau, who hit free agency this spring.
Okudah's NFL career has been an unlucky one, to say the least. His rookie campaign began with a hamstring injury, followed by surgery to fix a core muscle problem. His sophomore season began with a ruptured Achilles tendon in Week 1, and Okudah has never looked the same. His most productive season in the NFL remains the 2022 campaign, in which he started 15 games for Detroit.
Let's hope he is able to stay healthy and get back to those days in the next stage of his career.