Detroit Lions: 5 Targets in 2020 NFL Draft to put them on the right track
1. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State
Mocking Jeff Okudah to the Lions is a commonality among the draft community, almost unanimous outside of trade scenarios or Chase Young falling into their lap. It makes sense considering the current need Detroit has at corner. Trufant, Justin Coleman and Oruwariye can’t do what the Lions need from their corners.
The other guys on the roster, Mike Ford and Jayron Kearse, aren’t anything more than names at this point. So Okudah can come in as the top-rated corner ready to plug and play. He’s ready-made to either play the boundary or inside thanks to everything he brings to the table.
For starters, the 6-1, 205-pound corner has excellent explosiveness with elite change of direction skills. The former Ohio State corner has length and technique in press coverage give him an advantage at the line of scrimmage. Additionally, he has more than enough short-area quickness to make up for a mistake.
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Whether it’s press-man or off-man, Okudah as the mirroring skills and closing ability to perform the tasks at a high level. The former Buckeye isn’t afraid to punish ball carriers either. He will mix in up in the run. There aren’t too many prospects available at No. 3 with a higher grade at a position of need than Okudah. Pairing him with Trufant gives the Lions potentially the best corner tandem in NFC North.