Jeff Hafley has built a reputation for developing defensive backs and improving defenses throughout his coaching career. When he arrived at Ohio State in 2019, the Buckeyes were coming off a season in which they ranked 71st nationally in total defense. Under Hafley’s leadership, the Buckeyes allowed nearly 145 fewer yards per game while recording 15 interceptions.
Ohio State’s defense had standout talent at every level, but Jeff Okudah garnered the most attention heading into the 2020 draft.
Okudah started all 14 games in his only season under Hafley. He earned first-team Associated Press All-American honors, first-team All-Big Ten recognition, and was named a Jim Thorpe Award finalist. Okhudah led the Buckeyes with three interceptions and nine pass breakups while recording 35 tackles and two forced fumbles.
The Detroit Lions took Okudah third overall in the 2020 draft, but he has had a lackluster career. Okudah has not recorded a defensive grade above 59.4 or a coverage grade above 54.4 throughout five seasons. In three seasons with the Lions, he started 22 games before they traded him to the Atlanta Falcons for a 2023 conditional fifth-round pick. He started nine games with the Falcons before signing a one-year deal with the Houston Texans last year. Over his five-year career, Okudah has recorded 13 passes defended, two interceptions, and one forced fumble.
Jeff Okudah is a free agent, and any team that signs him will likely do so on a one-year deal worth between $5 million and $7 million. Given Green Bay’s need for depth in the secondary, it’s worth exploring whether the Packers should consider him.
“[Halfley has] had a tremendous impact on my life,” Okudah said during the 2020 combine. “Without Coach Hafley, I might not be in this position I am.”
Hafley responded to his former player on Twitter.
“The feeling is mutual!” Hafley wrote. “This is why I came back to college football, it’s the people. Jeff changed my life just as much as I changed his! He will make a lucky team proud on and off the field!”
Okudah was a five-star recruit coming out of high school, but Hafley helped develop him into a top-three draft pick. He hasn’t delivered on the potential he showed with the Buckeyes, but his best football came under Hafley’s coaching. If given the opportunity, Hafley could help Okudah recapture the form that made him such a highly coveted prospect.
Green Bay wouldn’t be taking a massive risk in pursuing Okudah. The Texans signed him to a one-year, $6 million deal last year, and the Packers could acquire him for less.
The Packers signed Nate Hobbs on Monday, but they still need depth in the secondary. With Eric Stokes signing with the Las Vegas Raiders and Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochell available, Green Bay’s depth is thinner than ideal. Additionally, with Jaire Alexander’s time with the team likely coming to an end, it feels like the cornerback room may face a similar overhaul to the safety room in 2024.
Bringing in Okudah on a one-year, $5 million deal would be low-risk, high-reward. At worst, the Packers could give him a chance to compete in camp. If he doesn’t impress, the contract would have minimal impact on their salary cap.
Five seasons of tape highlight how Okudah has struggled to meet the expectations of a third-overall pick. However, that reality emphasizes the importance for Green Bay, should they sign him, to maintain a clear understanding of their roster-building philosophy.
While Okudah could provide valuable competition, the Packers mustn’t view him as a lock for the final roster simply because he’s a free-agent pickup. Adding Okudah is an opportunity to bolster depth and foster competition, but it does not guarantee him a roster spot.
There is undoubtedly logic for the Packers to make a move for Okudah. At 26 years old, he’s in the early years of his prime and has an 8.97 Relative Athletic Score, both metrics which align with the type of free agents Brian Gutekunst typically targets. Okudah would likely come at a team-friendly price, providing valuable depth at the very least. His experience playing under Jeff Hafley could also be a key asset, as it would allow him to potentially thrive in a system he’s familiar with.
