By Sunday 
Once upon a time, Jeff Okudah was the third overall pick in the NFL Draft. A top cornerback prospect with sky-high expectations and shutdown potential. Fast forward to 2025, and the narrative has flipped—from can’t-miss to barely-hanging-on.
But now? There’s a flicker of something we haven’t seen in a while: hope.
A New Beginning in Purple and Gold
It’s training camp season, where hope springs eternal and every player is “in the best shape of their life.” But while many stories fade before preseason ends, Okudah’s name is already making waves in Minnesota.
According to The Athletic’s Alec Lewis, the former Lions cornerback is working with the Vikings’ first-team defense, leapfrogging 2023 third-rounder Mekhi Blackmon in the pecking order. That’s not nothing—especially in Brian Flores’ scheme.
From Detroit Disappointment to Vikings Dark Horse
Let’s not sugarcoat it: Okudah’s time in Detroit was rough. Injuries kept him off the field, and when he did play, it was inconsistent at best. Across three seasons, he appeared in just 25 games with only two interceptions and ten pass deflections. The Lions eventually moved on, sending him to Atlanta in 2023. Then came a short stint in Houston.
Most fans lost track of him after that.
But the Vikings, in classic Flores fashion, saw potential in the rubble—and signed him to a one-year, $2.35 million prove-it deal.
Why He Might Actually Stick This Time
It’s not just about being healthy. It’s about the right fit. And Flores’ blitz-happy, man-heavy defense might be exactly what Okudah needs. Last season, the Vikings blitzed on nearly 39% of snaps, more than any team in the league. That puts pressure on corners to hold up—and on coaches to find ones that can.
With Byron Murphy Jr. and newly added Isaiah Rodgers Jr. in the mix, the competition is fierce. But Okudah’s early lead over Blackmon—who’s returning from an ACL tear—is a real opportunity to carve out a role.
Don’t Call It a Comeback… Yet
We’ve all seen the training camp darlings who disappear by Week 3 of preseason. This could be one of those stories. But for now, Jeff Okudah isn’t just surviving—he’s climbing.
Maybe it’s just a camp flash. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the second wind we never saw coming.