Jeff Okudah Traded to Falcons from Lions; Former No. 3 Overall NFL Draft Pick

The Detroit Lions traded cornerback Jeff Okudah to the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, Okudah's agent told ESPN's Field Yates.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Lions will receive a 2023 fifth-round draft pick in exchange for Okudah.

Detroit did not get much of a return on its investment in Okudah, as the Lions originally selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Ohio State.

Injuries marred the first two seasons of Okudah's NFL career, as he missed seven games in 2020 and then all but one game in 2021 because of a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

Okudah rebounded to start 15 games last season, and he set career highs with 73 tackles and seven passes defended. He also recorded his second career interception and returned it for a touchdown.

The Lions addressed their secondary this offseason by signing safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, as well as cornerbacks Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton, perhaps making Okudah expendable in the eyes of the front office.

It likely didn't help Okudah's case that he was a pick made by the previous regime in Detroit, either.

While Okudah unquestionably hasn't lived up to his potential thus far, it can be argued that injuries are more to blame for that than his talent level.

In Atlanta, the pressure to perform will be far less since he will be the team's No. 2 cornerback behind A.J. Terrell, who was the No. 16 overall pick in 2020.

Okudah will also have the opportunity to learn from a two-time Pro Bowler in 33-year-old veteran Casey Hayward.

Since Okudah is still just 24 years of age, he has a chance to redeem himself in Atlanta and earn a solid second contract. His rookie deal expires at the end of 2023, although the Falcons could technically exercise his fifth-year option for 2024 by May 1.

As for the Lions, trading Okudah means they could be in the market to use one of their first-round picks in the 2023 NFL draft on a cornerback.

Detroit owns the Nos. 6 and 18 overall picks in the draft. Corners the Lions could consider in the first round include Oregon's Christian Gonzalez, Penn State's Joey Porter Jr. and Illinois' Devon Witherspoon.