After visiting with the Vikings on Monday, former first-round cornerback Jeff Okudah is signing with the team on a one-year deal, per NFL insider Adam Schefter. Okudah was most recently with the Houston Texans where he played in six games for a team that made it to the divisional round of the playoffs
The 26-year old Okudah is a former first-round pick of the Detroit Lions in 2020. He started six games while playing in only nine total due to injuries. He recorded 47 tackles, two pass breakups, and one interception as a rookie. After another injury limited him to one game in 2021, Okudah bounced back with 15 starts for the Lions during the 2022 season. He ended that campaign with a career-high 73 tackles, one interception returned for a touchdown, and seven interceptions.
Prior to joining the Texans last season, Okudah spent one season with the Atlanta Falcons in 2023. He started nine games while playing in 13 total, the second most he’s played in since being drafted. He ended that year with 44 tackles and three pass breakups.
The Vikings signing Okudah is nothing more than a cheap move that helps them flesh out the cornerback room while giving the former high draft pick a chance to rejuvenate his career under Brian Flores. If he hits, the Vikings could benefit not only from his play as a rotational corner, but also a potential compensatory pick should he really hit his stride in Minnesota.
We’ll update this post as soon as we know the numbers for his contract, as well.
