Is Jeff Okudah A Good Fit With The Falcons? Fantasy Football Outlook

April 12, 2023

Is cornerback Jeff Okudah a good fit for the Atlanta Falcons? What does Okudah's IDP fantasy football outlook look like in 2023? Read the analysis here.

Cornerback Jeff Okudah is on the move after the Detroit Lions traded him to the Atlanta Falcons. In return, the Falcons give Detroit their 2023 fifth-round selection.

The writing was on the wall after the Lions aggressively upgraded their defensive secondary during free agency. Okudah was the odd man in a group that added Emmanuel Moseley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cameron Sutton, and Will Harris.

The former Ohio State standout will end a disappointing run in Detroit after being selected third overall in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Okudah's Career In Detroit

Jeff Okudah only played 10 games in his first two seasons due to a core muscle injury and a ruptured Achilles tendon. His health improved in 2022, allowing him to play in 15 games. However, he only had one interception with 59 solo tackles and seven passes defended.

The move to Atlanta can serve as a reboot for his career. He can focus on sustaining the momentum he built last season and show why he is worthy of a top-five pick. He can compete for a starting role against veteran Casey Hayward. If he lives up to the expectations, the Falcons will have a solid secondary with him, A.J. Terrell, and Jessie Bates III.

Okudah Can Provide Much-Needed Help In Falcons Pass Defense

While defensive stats are primarily forgotten in fantasy football, they could spell the difference between winning and losing. Regaining the form that made Okudah a 2019 unanimous All-American will do wonders for a struggling defense that needs a playmaker.

The Falcons defense finished with the fourth-fewest interceptions last season. They also ranked eighth worst in points allowed (386) and 30th in fantasy points (77) last season. Only the Las Vegas Raiders and the Chicago Bears had fewer fantasy points than them.

A breakout season from Okudah can help the Atlanta defense become a viable fantasy football option. In other numbers, he could also boost a defense that gave up the eighth-most passing yards (231.9) and eighth-most points (22.7) per game last season. His emergence will also be helpful in a division with Adam Thielen, D.J. Chark, Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Russell Gage, Michael Thomas, and Chris Olave.

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