One Detroit Lions player who is poised for a breakout year
As many Detroit Lions fans know, the 2020 season was a complete blunder. The team was supposed to take a step forward, yet Patricia and the rest of the regime made them take three steps backward.
One player, in particular, was put in a situation where he could not succeed whatsoever, and he did not live up to the hype in year one. That player is the 2020 third overall pick, Jeff Okudah. He was considered the best cornerback prospect in the draft at the time.
Unfortunately, during training camp, he suffered a hamstring injury and missed the opening game of the season. He returned the following week, but his season was cut short as he was placed on the injured reserve list due to season-ending surgery. Okudah only started in the 6 out of 9 games he played in as a rookie and the numbers were not as good as people would have hoped for as a third overall pick.
It is now 2021 and the Lions have a new regime and a new scheme. The culture in the locker room is completely different than it was in 2020. With that being said, it makes sense for Okudah to have a breakout year and live up to the hype, and potentially become a top cornerback in the league.
First-year defensive coordinator, Aaron Glenn is focused on teaching Okudah some intangibles that can translate to the gridiron. Last week, Glenn told the young cornerback that he does not have to cover everything, and he must let the rest of the defense help him.
It is little teaching moments that will make him better on the field and build that trust and rapport with his defensive coordinator, something that was lacking last year.
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With all the hype around Okudah being the third overall pick in the 2020 draft and all these expectations people have, it will be imperative that he keeps working hard and learning to become the best at his position and it will show throughout this year as he will have a massive breakout year. This is the year where Jeff Okudah proves to everyone that he was well worth the third overall pick last year.