NFL Draft 2020: Jeff Okudah to Lions at No. 3 just makes sense

Jeff Okudah is headed to the Detroit Lions with the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. What kind of difference will Okudah make for the Lions?

A very wise old man once told me, “The right thing is not always the most popular thing, but it is always the right thing.” The Detroit Lions addressing their most pressing need at cornerback was not the flashiest move the Lions could have made.

They could have made a splash and taken Tua Tagovaolia with the third pick or traded down. There were some rumblings they were interested in Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown. After the dust settled, management and the head coach settled on taking Okudah.

Jeff Okudah is the best defensive back prospect since Patrick Peterson came out of LSU in 2011. He is a rare combination of size and speed; he is the prototype for the modern cornerback in the NFL.

Okudah is fluid in his movement in coverage and moves in and out of his breaks almost flawlessly. He uses the boundary on deep routes as an asset in coverage; he knows how to be physical, but not draw pass interference flags.

He is a willing tackler and can be a thumper at times in run support. He has impeccable fundamentals along with elite athletic traits. Those alone will make him a top-line starter. He is hungry and willing to succeed at the pro level. After his mother lost her battle with cancer in 2012, Okudah has used this to fuel his desire to be great.

The Lions needed to address the 26th ranked team defense and worst pass defense in the league. decided to take a corner in the first round since the outgoing Darius Slay. They need players that can cover.

Grade: A+

With Okudah, they get a player who can do just that. He can cut the field in half and help the pass rush get home.