The Minnesota Vikings have secured a familiar name in the NFC North, reaching an agreement with former Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah.
Drafted third overall by Detroit in 2020, Okudah’s time with the Lions was plagued by injuries. His rookie season was cut short after nine games when he was placed on Injured Reserve in December, and he suffered another setback in September 2021, landing on IR after the season opener.
Okudah bounced back in 2022, starting 15 games and posting a career-best 73 tackles, seven pass breakups, a 20-yard pick-six, and his first forced fumble. The following offseason, Detroit traded him to Atlanta in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, which was later used in a deal that brought Dontayvion Wicks to Green Bay.
During his stint with the Falcons, Okudah appeared in 13 games, starting nine, and recorded 44 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass defenses. He then signed with Houston in 2024, playing six games for the Texans while tallying nine tackles and one pass breakup.
Now joining Minnesota, Okudah strengthens a secondary that recently re-signed Byron Murphy Jr. and added Isaiah Rodgers in free agency. His deal was finalized shortly after he visited the Vikings’ training facility, Twin Cities Orthopedics Performance Center.
