Minnesota Vikings: Stealing one player from every NFC North foe

Detroit Lions: CB Jeff Okudah

I already got a huge steal in Mack, so let’s roll the dice a bit when stealing from the Lions. They aren’t exactly loaded with elite options, so I took a chance and targeted rookie cornerback Jeff Okudah as the man to help get this Minnesota defense going in the right direction.

Last season was a mess for the Vikings at the cornerback position. Now Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes and Mackensie Alexander are all gone. The top options heading into 2020 are Mike Hughes, Jeff Gladney, Cameron Dantzler and Holton Hill. Yikes. Not exactly an inspiring situation for this Minnesota secondary.

Now I understand that adding another rookie to the mix won’t be a solve-all. However, if you did any sort of research on Jeff Okudah ahead of the 2020 NFL Draft, then you understand why I took this route.

Okudah has the potential to be the league’s next lock-down cornerback. He’s smart, instinctive and possesses tremendous technique in coverage. Put all of those pieces together and sprinkle in some swagger and aggressiveness, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for one outstanding cornerback. Again, it’s a gamble but I’m putting my money on upside.

In theory, Okudah steps into the No. 1 cornerback role and shines right away. Then, the next best man earns the No. 2 job and the Vikings make it work, relying largely on their elite safeties to provide support.