Vikings fan Brian Foss displays custom team-logo prosthetic eye at fan event.D.J. Reed or drafting a corner like Will Johnson or Benjamin Morrison.

One Vikings defender is turning heads at training camp. The former 1st-Rounder is drawing rave reviews as momentum builds around his performance and possible reclamation.

Instead, Minnesota re-signed Pro Bowler Byron Murphy Jr. to a handsome extension while onboarding Isaiah Rodgers from the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and Jeff Okudah, the former third overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

It became apparent early in the offseason that the Vikings had big plans for Rodgers, who they considered an untapped gem. But more mystery surrounded Okudah, whose career has disappointed various fan bases to date.

Still, the summer hype train has choo-chooed for Okudah, so much so that he’s just a presumptive starter now.

The Hype Train for Jeff Okudah Is Here

The veteran cornerback hopes to turn the corner in Minnesota.

Thor Nystrom tweeted this week, “Brian Flores is gonna reinvigorate Jeff Okudah’s career, isn’t he?”

Our own Ted Schwerzler wrote this month, “The Vikings don’t need another cornerback if Jeff Okudah is that guy, and he’s generating tons of hype in Eagan.”

Justin Jefferson said about Okudah in June, “He has that speed … and he has that ability to really play-make and just be an annoying cornerback. That’s what I like to call those types of corners, ‘annoying cornerbacks,’ because they know how to be physical. They know how to get you off your route and not be able to have free access.”

And aggregator The Purple Persuasion tweeted Tuesday, “Brian Flores unlocking THIS Jeff Okudah in 2025 will be one of the key reasons for their success. Having Okudah to bully the opposing WR1 will give the pass rush that extra split second to get after the QB creating even more havoc. I’m here for it.”

It’s like the formerly annual Irv Smith Jr. rigmarole — but supersized.

Waiting for a Breakout … 6 Seasons into It

The Detroit Lions spent the third overall pick on Okudah in 2020, and he has never, ever taken off in the big leagues. He’s never come close.

Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume to date:

  • 2024: 31.0
  • 2023: 50.5
  • 2022: 59.4
  • 2021: 53.0
  • 2020: 42.5

Those are horrid grades for a player drafted so high, especially last year.

preseason afoot, that answer is yes, and folks should fully expect a starter’s workload for the 26-year-0ld.

The Brian Flores Endorsement

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores said about Okudah last month: “In his time here, he’s been as diligent from on the field, off the field, training room, weight room. He’s always looking to do extra film work. I don’t know what’s happened in other buildings.”

“I know that since he’s been here, it’s been great to coach him. I think he’s getting better, I think he’s getting more comfortable within the defense and what we’re gonna ask him to do. And he’s shown up positively, really in every way. I’m excited to watch him continue to improve. I think he’s got a lot of skill.”

He wrote, “An ankle injury in training camp sidelined him to open the 2023 season in Atlanta. Last year with the Texans, he aggravated his hip in Week 1 and missed the next nine games.”

“A concussion ended his season in Week 17 and had him knocking on the door of leaving the game entirely. So why didn’t he? Why is he still doing this? What is it that convinced him this time could be different?”

The 2025 campaign is probably Okudah’s last best chance to achieve staying power as a starter in the NFL.

the Houston Texans at U.S. Bank Stadium.