The Detroit Lions have now locked in a cornerstone for their team's future. The team has recently selected Jeff Okudah with the 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Three months after drafting him, the two sides have agreed to terms on a contract.
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport broke out the recent signing on Twitter:
The #Lions have reached an agreement on a 4-year contract with No. 3 overall pick CB Jeff Okudah, source said. A standard deal with a fifth-year option for the touted Ohio State product.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 13, 2020
The 21-year old rookie cornerback for the Lions was part of a formidable defensive line which also includes Washington's prized recruit in Chase Young. Okudah contributed 3 interceptions in 14 games played for the Ohio State Buckeyes last season.
The college football powerhouse from Ohio tallied an undefeated record of 9-0 in the Big Ten Conference (East Division). In totality, the team recorded a 13-1 record all throughout the 2019-2020 season. Their lone loss of the season came after matching up with the Clemson Tigers. They also ranked third in the final AP Poll of 2019, only trailing National Champion LSU and Clemson.
With the recent agreement, the Lions now have their cornerback of the future. Okudah will be joining Danny Shelton, Jarrad Davis and Trey Flowers in the team's defensive shore. As former Lions cornerback Darius Slay walked away to free agency in the offseason, the rookie will fit right into defensive coordinator Cory Undlin's schemes.
The team finished on the bottom of the NFC North cellar with a 3-12-1 record in the 2019 season. The acquisition of Okudah among others is only the first step of the Lions' efforts towards joining the playoff party once again. They are hoping that the upcoming season will break their 3-year absence from the postseason.
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