The Minnesota Vikings have a history of taking chances on elite athletes and former first-round picks. Last season, they brought in defensive tackle and later added off-ball linebacker. Now, they’ve continued that trend by signing cornerback Jeff Okudah.
On Tuesday, the Vikings reached an agreement with the 26-year-old, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound corner known for his physical style of play. Originally selected third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, his career has been hampered by injuries. He underwent abdominal surgeries that cut his rookie season short, tore his Achilles in 2021, and missed time last year in Houston due to a hip injury.
Minnesota sees Okudah as a low-risk, high-upside addition to a young cornerback group that may still see further reinforcements in the draft.
How He Fits
Cornerback remains one of the Vikings’ most uncertain positions. They invested in Byron Murphy Jr., but third-year player Mekhi Blackmon is recovering from a torn ACL. The team also signed Isaiah Rodgers, an unproven 27-year-old with potential, and undrafted rookie Dwight McGlothern is another option.
Okudah brings size to a group largely made up of smaller corners. With more experience than everyone in the room except Murphy, he has played over 450 snaps in three different seasons. However, his addition won’t drastically change defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ approach to coverage.
Despite past injuries, Okudah adds depth and competition, much like last year’s signing of Shaq Griffin. His experience in man coverage will be valuable, and he has the potential to carve out a role in the secondary.
2025 Impact
The Vikings rotate their cornerbacks rather than keeping them fixed on one side. Murphy will move between outside and slot roles based on matchups and could even drop into deep zone coverage at times.
Flores tailors assignments to each player’s strengths, and Okudah excels in close-quarters coverage. He is unlikely to be responsible for covering large areas of the field but will thrive near the line of scrimmage, where his physicality and explosiveness can shine.
His playing time may depend on matchups and whether the Vikings draft another cornerback. However, he presents a valuable early-down option and could provide key depth for the 2025 season.