The Detroit Lions have done an outstanding job of rebuilding and retooling, with General Manager Brad Holmes and HC Dan Campbell leading the way.
As per usual, a new regime often means that some of the guys from the old guard aren’t likely to be a part of the team in the future.
And that was the case with Jeff Okudah, who was expected to leave the team after the season anyway.
The former third-overall pick just three seasons ago didn’t impress in his time in Michigan, and the team didn’t intend to pick up his fifth-year option.
So, they did the reasonable thing and flipped him to the Atlanta Falcons, where he can now get a fresh start while the Lions continue to replenish their draft arsenal.
Okudah was a clear candidate to leave the team after the Lions targeted three DBs in free agency.
The Falcons, on the other hand, are now trying to bring his career back from the ground.
Trade: the Falcons are acquiring Lions CB Jeff Okudah, his agent Kevin Conner of @UniSportsMgmt confirmed.
Conner articulated that the GMs of the two teams involved – Detroit’s Brad Holmes and Atlanta’s Terry Fontenot – made it a seamless, collaborative process. The… pic.twitter.com/vjSqui79aE
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 11, 2023
He’s still young and flashed impressive upside when he first entered the league, and getting him in exchange for a fifth-round pick was the ultimate bargain.
Needless to say, Okudah is more likely to find success in the league than any fifth-rounder, and the Falcons will now have control of his contract for the final two seasons of his rookie deal, should they decide to keep him around.
Unsurprisingly, though, not many Lions fans were happy about flipping a third-overall pick for a fifth-round pick, regardless of how poor the fit was for their team.
A win for the Lions who *checks notes* drafted Okudah 3rd overall to flip for a 5th rounder a couple years later.
Definitely a win for the Lions.
—Ryan Sjoberg (@Ryan_Sjoberg) April 11, 2023
It stinks that he didn’t work out in Detroit, but happy he’s getting a fresh start. Probably best for both sides
— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) April 11, 2023
Fr bro they added a bust corner from the worst defense in the NFL last year this changes everything
—Dan (@ClappedDan) April 11, 2023
Brad what are we doing here?
— Dr. Profit 🩺 (@Dr_Profit_) April 11, 2023
Lions are 100000000000% drafting Gonzalez or Witherspoon now
— Brady (@BradyMangseth) April 11, 2023
The Lions now freed $5.182 million in guaranteed money, all while parting ways with a CB who played in 25 out of 50 possible games for the team.
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