The Detroit Lions have traded cornerback Jeff Okudah

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The Detroit Lions have traded cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons for a fifth-round pick. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".snlzz-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": ".attcr-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": ".uumsw-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": ".jmcqg-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": ".xaoaf-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".eoueb-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

Okudah was the third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft and played college football at Ohio State.

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Despite being considered a top prospect, Okudah struggled in his rookie year, missed most of his second season due to injury, and had an up-and-down 2022 season. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".dnusz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".djjgw-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".fwbfz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Lions' decision to trade Okudah reflects their efforts to move on from mistakes made by the previous regime led by coach Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn.

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The team passed on quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert to draft Okudah, and the decision did not pay off. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".csqix-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": ".ferjo-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": ".rgsig-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": ".kukto-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1000ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Falcons, on the other hand, are willing to take a chance on Okudah as they look for building blocks.

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They can afford to take on young players who may have washed out elsewhere. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".edtdz-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".mfrwl-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": ".eefcz-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".jpiko-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The Lions, under new GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, are trying to compete now and have made moves to upgrade their pass defense. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".ebzeg-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": ".jmbdf-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": ".tockz-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": ".smbdf-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "750ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".fbcxw-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

These additions made Okudah expendable. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".bisgr-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".lbeza-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".safjw-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

The trade represents a fresh start for Okudah and a move toward a more promising future for the Lions.

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It remains to be seen if Okudah can regain his form with the Falcons. Images Credit: Gettyimages [{ "selector": ".jcpff-a", "duration": "500ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".enwic-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1250ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "transform": "translateX(-370px)", "opacity": "1"}, {"offset": 1, "transform": "translateX(0)", "opacity": "1"} ] }, { "selector": ".xfidr-a", "duration": "250ms", "fill": "forwards", "delay": "1500ms", "keyframes": [ {"offset": 0, "opacity": 0}, {"offset": 1, "opacity": "90%"} ] }]

It also remains to be seen if the Lions' efforts to rebuild their team will pay off in the upcoming season.

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