The Detroit Lions have one of the more promising and ascending rosters in the NFL, especially among teams that have yet to make the playoffs.
They have produced some good draft choices in recent years, including defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and the recently departed TJ Hockenson.
But in 2020, Detroit made a huge mistake that continues to this day.
With the No. 3 pick, they took cornerback Jeff Okudah, and after he did not pan out in his first three pro seasons, they traded him to the Atlanta Falcons for a fifth-round draft pick.
This made him only the second top-three pick in the last decade to be traded less than three years after being drafted, the other being quarterback Sam Darnold, who is widely considered a big bust. .
Jeff Okudah is the second player in the last decade to be drafted top-3 overall and traded less than 3 years after being drafted. The other was QB Sam Darnold, who was drafted by the Jets in 2018 and traded to the Panthers in April 2021. https://t.co/s1hBvGRfTF
– ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 11, 2023
Okudah, a native of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, had an impressive three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, and was a unanimous selection to the College Football All-America team in 2019.
But he hasn’t done much in his three NFL seasons so far.
Multiple injuries limited him to just nine games as a rookie, while a ruptured Achilles in Week 1 of 2021 prematurely ended his season.
Last season, he did a bit better, appearing in 15 games and recording seven passes defended and one pick-six, but his production was still a far cry from what was initially expected of him in 2020, when he He was considered the best cornerback prospect. draft class.
Perhaps a change of scenery will get Okudah closer to the best version of himself.
next:
Jeff Okudah Trades Lions Fans A Reminder Of A Disappointing 2020 Draft