Detroit Lions: 3 biggest disappointments of 2020

#2. Jeff Okudah’s dud rookie season

Selected third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, there were sky-high expectations for cornerback Jeff Okudah. But the first-year defensive back struggled to get up to speed early, clearly impacted by the lack of an offseason training program or preseason games.

A hamstring injury forced Okudah to miss Week One and graciously avoided the question whether he’d be a starter in Detroit. He’d end having to start the next two weeks and actually recorded his first interception against the Arizona Cardinals in a three-point win.

But ever since, Okudah has been in and out of the starting lineup. Inconsistent play and now, a shoulder injury, have limited his impact as a rookie.

In nine games, Okudah has allowed a quarterback rating of 118.0 with opposing passers targeting him 53 times and completing 41 of those attempts. He’s allowed a whopping 594 receiving yards and two scores to opposing offenses when targeted.

Over his first six games, Okudah played 88.6% of the Lions’ defensive snaps. But he’s played just 39.3% over his last three contests.

While his potential ceiling makes Okudah anything but a bust, his performance this season has certainly been a major disappointment. He’s recorded 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass defends, and one interception as a six-game starter so far this year. That’s far from the possible All-Pro some draft scouts believed Okudah had the potential to become during his rookie contract.