Atlanta acquired former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah from Detroit…
Atlanta acquired former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah from Detroit for a 2023 fifth-round choice. Okudah started nine games for the Falcons, recording 44 tackles and three passes defensed, but left after one season. Detroit gained pick No. 159 and moved on from a player outside its long-term plan while also creating roster and cap flexibility. Atlanta received a functional one-year starter, but Detroit's low-risk reset aged better.
Atlanta Falcons Received
- player Jeff Okudah
Detroit Lions Received
- pick 2023 5th round pick (159th overall subsequently traded, Dontayvion Wicks )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Detroit sent cornerback Jeff Okudah to Atlanta for a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft. Okudah had been the No. 3 overall selection in 2020, but injuries and uneven performance prevented him from becoming the foundational defender Detroit envisioned. Atlanta bought a one-year look at a still-young corner, while the Lions received pick No. 159 and moved on before the final season of Okudah's rookie contract.
Why Detroit's Reset Had Value
The Lions were no longer evaluating the trade against Okudah's original draft slot; the relevant question was what they could recover in 2023. A fifth-round choice for a player outside the club's future plans was useful, and the move also opened room in a rebuilt secondary. Detroit later moved the acquired No. 159 pick as part of another transaction, so any downstream player should not be credited directly to this deal. The direct value was the draft asset and flexibility.
How Atlanta's One-Year Bet Performed
Okudah was not a complete miss for the Falcons. He appeared in 13 games and started nine in 2023, making 44 tackles and breaking up three passes. For a fifth-round price, that is credible short-term starting depth. The limitation is that Atlanta received only one season; Okudah joined Houston in 2024 and did not become a longer-term piece of the Falcons' secondary.
Final Verdict
Detroit earns a B- and Atlanta a C. The Falcons received playable snaps and the cost was modest, so this is not a severe loss. Detroit, however, recovered a fifth-round asset for a player it was ready to move, gained roster flexibility and did not watch Okudah become a long-term fixture in Atlanta. The hindsight edge belongs to the Detroit Lions.