The Minnesota Vikings went through their second day of practice in this year’s training camp, and an early trend emerged that bodes well for former Detroit Lions first-round draft pick and cornerback Jeff Okudah.
After three seasons, the Lions traded Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. The No. 3 of the 2020 draft spent the 2024 season with the Houston Texans.
Okudah seems to be earning the confidence of the Vikings’ coaching staff.
The Athletic’s Alec Lewis cited Okudah’s participation level – “lots” – alongside Byron Murphy Jr. and Isaiah Rodgers among his “quick thoughts” from the day on X on July 24. Pioneer Press’ Dane Mizutani noted that Okudah seems to be the “next man up behind” Murphy and Rodgers.
“Is Okudah perfect? No, not at all. Can he stay healthy? We’ll see. If he does, can he contribute meaningfully?” Lewis wrote on July 9. “The Vikings believe he can, and many of the team’s offensive talents who matched up against him this spring would agree.”
Okudah made six appearances in 2024 and has not been a full-time starter since 2022.
Okudah signed a one-year, $2.3 million contract with the Vikings in free agency this offseason and has earned $39.1 million in his career.
Jeff Okudah Joins Questionable Vikings CBs
GettyByron Murphy Jr. #7 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Lewis projected the Vikings’ cornerback battle, with Okudah, to be “one of the more interesting positions on the roster.”
Okudah’s emergence as a potential starter in nickel packages certainly fits that description.
“Murphy is experienced and trustworthy, but the others are question marks. The Vikings staff pinpointed Rodgers as a potential high-upside signing. He’s slight, though, and so is [Mekhi] Blackmon, who is coming off a torn ACL,” Lewis wrote in March.
“Expect a healthy competition here involving [Dwight] McGlothern and even potentially Jeff Okudah, whom the Vikings have had their eyes on.”
However, ESPN’s Mike Clay questioned the ceiling on the Okudah and the Vikings’ secondary.
“Byron Murphy Jr. was a good re-signing, but Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin both departed this offseason,” Clay wrote on July 21. “That duo is set to be replaced by some combination of Mekhi Blackmon (missed all of last season with a torn ACL) and journeymen Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, Tavierre Thomas and Ambry Thomas.”
Okudah has the draft pedigree to suggest his emergence alongside Murphy and Rodgers could allay many of the concerns around the Vikings’ secondary. The Vikings are already trying to break in a new quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, who will need all the support they can give him.
Vikings Former 3rd-Round Pick in Ominous Situation
GettyMekhi Blackmon #11 of the Minnesota Vikings runs to the sideline during a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Okudah potentially assuming a starting, or at least prominent, role comes at the expense of, among others, Blackmon, a third-round pick in 2023.
Blackmon is one of the few remaining members of the Vikings’ 2022 and 2023 draft classes still on the roster. He was expected to compete for a starting spot in 2024 before tearing his ACL in the first practice of training camp.
The Vikings are still early in the process, which is good news for Blackmon.
Blackmon also performed well during the Vikings’ offseason program. However, the Vikings were quick to espouse faith in Rodgers and could be just as resolute in rolling with Okudah.
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