2020 NFL Draft: Putting a letter grade on all 32 first-round picks
Pick Analysis. Ohio State. 3. player. 50. Combine Performance. CB. Jeffrey Okudah
Trading down always seemed to make the most sense for the Detroit Lions. Unfortunately for them, the quarterback-needy teams simply were not biting and they had to stand pat and make a selection at No. 3. They did, however, make the correct pick at No. 3 bringing in former Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah.
Even before they traded away Darius Slay, Okudah made the most sense for the Lions. He is the best cornerback prospect in recent memory and has true shutdown corner upside at the next level. Okudah is a guy who you can simply line up on the opposing team’s best receiver and let him go to work. Getting a guy like him in the mix is about to do wonders for this Lions’ defense.
Related Story. Analyzing Okudah to Lions. light
Okudah has ideal size, speed and athleticism at the cornerback position and tremendous natural instincts. He is an incredibly sticky man-to-man defender who can also make plays in zone coverage. Okudah reads the opposing quarterback extremely well, attacks the ball in the air at a high level and never allows himself to get beat deep.
I could see the appeal of taking Derrick Brown here, but Okudah was always the right choice for the Lions. He is a perfect fit for any defense and will undoubtedly be an extremely valuable weapon for Matt Patricia and company.