3 Detroit Lions players who need to ‘prove it’ during the 2022 season

CB Jeff Okudah

The Lions drafted Okudah No. 3 overall out of Ohio State in the 2020 NFL Draft. He was one of the highest selected cornerbacks in the history of the NFL. So naturally, there were huge expectations placed on him from the start. It’s safe to say that Okudah has not lived up to those expectations thus far.

Okudah has only played 10 games during his first two seasons, and in his largest sample of play a a rookie he was one of the worst cornerbacks in the league. A lot of that has had to do with injuries he has been dealing in his first two seasons and  coming into the NFL during the COVID-19 outbreak. But Pro Football Focus gave him a dismal grade of 42.5 for his rookie season.

This year Okudah has a chance to make good and start taking steps in the right direction. There is certainly opportunity for him, as no Lions corner outside of Amani Oruwariye is locked into a role.

Okudah is currently coming back from an Achilles tear in last year’s season opener. All indications are he’s making good progress, and could be fully ready to go for training camp. Better health will be a big step toward him proving he was anywhere near worthy of a top-five pick