One of the better storylines early on this season for the Detroit Lions is the play of cornerback Jeff Okudah. Limited by injuries his first two seasons in the league, including an Achilles injury that wiped away nearly his entire 2021 season, Okudah grinded through the hard times knowing brighter days were ahead.
Now healthy, Okudah is showing us why he was considered one of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft, ultimately going No. 3 overall to Detroit.
Through three games, Okudah has played 91 percent of the snaps on defense and is allowing just 36 yards per game with no touchdowns in his coverage area. Opposing quarterbacks have a 74.6 passer rating when throwing at him in three games. He held Vikings All-Pro receiver Justin Jefferson to two receptions for nine yards when matched up across from him last week.
"I'm definitely proud of where I'm at right now," Okudah said this week.
But it's another week and another tough matchup for Okudah and the Lions secondary with Seattle and the terrific receiving duo of DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett coming to town.
Speaking of Metcalf, he was asked about Okudah this week and said this: "There's a safety over the top of him, so he's really not locking people down. But he's a good corner."
I'm sure that will find its way to Okudah's ears. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn was asked about those comments on Thursday.
"That's defense," Glenn said. "Our job is to match our players up and then also be able scheme to take people out. Regardless if it's there's a safety, there's a linebacker. We just play defense the way we have to play it to win."
It will be fun to watch when Okudah and Metcalf find themselves across from one another on Sunday.
Asked about Okudah specifically and the start to the season he's having, Glenn was very complimentary.
"As the season progressed, you started seeing him get more confident in who he is as a player," Glenn said. "You start seeing some of the things he did when he was at Ohio State, as far as shutting people down."
That's high praise from a former three-time Pro Bowl cornerback, who did it at a high level for a long time in this league.
Okudah is playing really well to start the season, and the Lions will need that to continue Sunday if they want to get back to .500 with a win over the Seahawks.
WILLIAMS MAKING PROGRESS
With all the injuries the Lions are dealing with at the wide receiver position, they could certainly use the services of rookie Jameson Williams, but that will have to wait as he remains on Reserve/NFI and not available to return until Week 5 at the earliest.
"He's coming along. I wish it was yesterday," Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El said this week. "He's just got to keep working at it, and that's the thing. He's working hard, not just in the weight room but in the training room and all that stuff to try to get back and get going, get his first taste."
Williams has posted videos of himself running and cutting on his social media.
"Oh, he can play," Randle El said on what to expect once Williams gets back on the field. "He's a guy you can move around. He's smart, he gets it in terms of being in different spots, and that's what you want to do with a guy like that, use his speed whether it's him running past somebody or him getting somebody else open. That speed means a lot."
View photos from Detroit Lions practice on Wednesday, September 28, 2022.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (1) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye (24) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Michael Brockers (90) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Charles Harris (53) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott (5) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (10) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (59) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Benito Jones (94) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Michael Brockers (90) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Austin Bryant (2) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin (86) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Garrett Griffin (86) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver DJ Chark (4) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Josh Johnson (80) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (87) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (42) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Wide Receivers Coach Seth Ryan, Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (15) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (42) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82), Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Tanner Engstrand during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (89), Detroit Lions Tight Ends Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Tanner Engstrand during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tackle Darrin Paulo (60) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley, Detroit Lions running back Justin Jackson (42) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Woods (51) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez (44) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Saivion Smith (29) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety JuJu Hughes (33) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah (1), Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott (5) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions Assistant Head Coach/Running Backs Coach Duce Staley, Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Jamaal Williams (30) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (26) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Will Harris (25) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Mike Hughes (23), Detroit Lions cornerback Chase Lucas (36) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during practice at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on September 28, 2022. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
HUTCHINSON EVALUATION
It's been an up and down start to rookie defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson's tenure with the Lions.
He was able to generate pressure Week 1 vs. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles, but didn't finish a few opportunities and left some plays on the field. Week 2, he burst on the scene with 3.0 sacks before suffering a thigh injury that slowed him some in the second half. Last week, in the loss to Minnesota, he thought he did some good things watching the tape, but generated one hit and one pressure with no tackles in the final stat book.
When Hutchinson evaluates himself on tape he says it goes way beyond just sacks. Making sure he's doing his assignment and having no missed assignments is big for him. He evaluates his get off at the line of scrimmage and his pad level.
"I can't be mad at myself. Even if you're not getting some sacks some games, you have to live with it and know we have a lot more football left," he said Thursday. "That's why you have to stay even keeled throughout it all."
For this defense to be better, they'll need their No. 2 pick to make more of the splash plays that impact the game, like we saw against Washington in their lone victory on the year.
