Detroit Lions 3 bold predictions for the 2022 NFL season

Detroit Lions bold prediction no. 2: Jeff Okudah picks off at least four passes

One key factor to the Detroit Lions‘ success in 2022 is going to be how well the secondary plays for defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. Glenn has a couple of really nice pieces in the secondary this year, especially at the cornerback position.

Former Penn State star Amani Oruwariye was a revelation for the Lions last year with a whopping six interceptions, doubling the total of interceptions he had in his first two NFL seasons combined. The emergence of Oruwariye was nice to see and gave Lions fans hope at the cornerback position even though the team was missing former first-round pick Jeff Okudah due to injury.

Well, entering the 2022 season, it seems like Oruwariye is the unquestioned CB1 for this Lions team which means we could see a lot of balls thrown the direction of Okudah. Okudah isn’t out of the woods just yet. He’s apparently competing with Will Harris for a starting job in this Lions defense.

There will undoubtedly be a role for both players and I’m expecting a huge year from Okudah, the former third-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Okudah’s final season at Ohio State was filled with absolutely textbook play at the cornerback position. He was a top-three pick for a reason and I think we’re finally going to get to see that side of him here in 2022.

Although injuries are disappointing, it’s hard to call Okudah a disappointment up to this point in his NFL career. According to those in attendance at Detroit Lions training camp, Okudah has been looking great. I’m calling a shot right now, that Okudah is able to stay mostly healthy this year and pick off at least four passes for the Lions.