Oct 23, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers huge receiver Ladd McConkey (15) will get by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Okudah (8) for a landing move within the second half at SoFi Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Pictures.
A 12 months in the past, the Minnesota Vikings as soon as once more needed to rebuild their cornerback room. Earlier starters Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin weren’t retained for a second season and the Vikings needed to be inventive.
Brian Flores, a defensive coordinator who has mastered the craft of constructing elite defenses with uninspiring cornerback play, recognized a former excessive draft decide as a CB3 choice with upside. The dangerous swing introduced Jeff Okudah to the Twin Cities on an inexpensive one-year contract.
Quick ahead a 12 months, and the once-promising cornerback has fallen off the face of the earth.
Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cincinnati Bengals operating again Samaje Perine (34) carries the ball as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Jeff Okudah (8) defends in the course of the first half at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Pictures
Okudah spent his one 12 months with the Vikings in one other unsuccessful chapter in his profession. Then, the Vikings didn’t re-sign him and he entered the free company market. Two months later, Okudah remains to be sitting there, ready for a brand new employer to floor.
The defender appeared in solely six video games with the Vikings, beginning none of them. He was primarily utilized in packages requiring a 3rd cornerback behind Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers.
His remaining stat sheet exhibits 14 tackles on 93 defensive snaps and one other 35 on particular groups. He couldn’t safe an interception in his restricted enjoying time.
In truth, every time he was on the sector, quarterbacks appeared to throw his manner, which is rarely a very good signal. Okudah obtained an abysmal PFF grade of 32.4. These grades shouldn’t be taken as gospel, nevertheless it’s nonetheless one of many worst grades within the NFL, they usually matched the attention take a look at. He was additionally credited with 12 targets, permitting 11 catches for 175 yards and one landing, leading to a passer ranking of 146.5, coming shut sufficient to an ideal passer ranking of 158.3.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) warms up earlier than the Detroit Lions sport at Ford Discipline in Detroit on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023. © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
Sadly, he couldn’t repair these grades as a result of the second concussion of the season led to a stint on IR and an early finish to the season.
His time in Minnesota began fairly properly, when Justin Jefferson praised him in the summertime: “He has that speed … and he has that ability to really play-make and just be an annoying cornerback. That’s what I like to call those types of corners, ‘annoying cornerbacks,’ because they know how to be physical. They know how to get you off your route and not be able to have free access.”
Okudah has the peak and the bodily energy (6’1″ and 205 lbs) to be an issue for receivers, however he has by no means persistently been that in his NFL profession.
Accidents have definitely been a difficulty in his profession. Minor soft-tissue accidents restricted him in his 2020 rookie season, and a torn Achilles robbed him of all however one sport in 2021. Attributable to a hip damage, he performed solely six video games in 2024 with the Texans, for a complete of 12 video games over the past two seasons, which explains the league’s inactivity in free company.
Vikings Territory’s Dustin Baker wrote final week, “Okudah had a difficult stint as Minnesota’s CB3, hampered by concussions and poor play. When on the field, opposing quarterbacks frequently targeted him, exploiting his struggles. The former third overall pick appears to be in the later stages of his career, with the ‘2020 draft bust’ label now firmly attached.”
Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets huge receiver Xavier Gipson (82) catches a move in opposition to Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) in the course of the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports activities.
Somebody would possibly nonetheless take a flyer. Former first-round picks usually get jobs till they determine to journey into the sundown, although the outcomes not often change for these with a “bust label attached”, as Baker described.
The Vikings have as soon as once more made some strikes within the cornerback room, however the beginning duo for as soon as remained. In free company, James Pierre was added. The veteran ought to be a extra constant third choice for Flores. Final month, Charles Demmings, an FCS star, arrived on Day 3 of the draft. He has all of the bodily instruments to shock people, however which may take a while, given the soar in competitors.
Okudah turned 27 earlier this 12 months. He has been employed by the Lions, Falcons, Texans and Vikings, enjoying in solely 50 video games via six seasons.
Editor’s Word: Info from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
