Lions trade former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah to Falcons

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The Detroit Lions have traded cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".jqrji-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370.848590850217px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".fcnqe-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".gxuod-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ticqj-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".lpkbq-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ksqoj-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The trade involves the Falcons sending a fifth-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft to the Lions. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".onoir-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".rgqtg-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".iorwg-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Okudah was drafted as the third overall pick in 2020 out of Ohio State.

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In his first two seasons as a pro, Okudah has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".suigt-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(calc(360px - -16px)) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0px) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".omjge-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ljdae-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ufwqj-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Okudah missed time during his rookie season due to a hamstring injury and had his sophomore season cut short due to a torn Achilles tendon.

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Okudah started 15 games for the Lions in 2022 and showed promise early on in the season.

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He set career highs in tackles and passes defended and recorded his first pick-six. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".ufmbf-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".qjdsn-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".nllgn-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ejgop-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The trade represents a fresh start for Okudah with the opportunity to compete for the No. 2 cornerback spot on the Falcons' roster. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".wxldc-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".cldnm-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".gbiko-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Falcons have been active in free agency, adding defensive players like safety Jessie Bates III, defensive linemen Calais Campbell and David Onyemata, and linebacker Kaden Elliss. Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".oukbz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "0ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370.848590850217px) scale(0.15)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".cmnzl-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".ujzar-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "rotate(-580deg) scale(0.1)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "rotate(0deg) scale(1)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".dwdwk-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eppee-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Okudah's addition provides the Falcons with a young player with high potential and adds to their defensive depth.

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For the Lions, the trade allows them to move on from a player who did not live up to expectations. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".qpxed-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".nxsrj-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eiiud-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Lions are looking to compete in the upcoming season and will continue to rebuild under new general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell.

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