General Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and the Minnesota Vikings continue to cook this offseason and have made another solid addition to Brian Flores’ defense. The Vikings negotiated a 1-year deal for a Detroit Lions’ former 1st round pick, Jeff Okudah.
Plagued By Injuries
He was the No. 3 Overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He has been limited due to various injuries over the years. Injuries have been an issue for Okudah. Abdominal surgery ended his rookie season, and a ruptured Achilles ended his 2021 campaign. Last year he played just six games because of a hip injury.
He has performed well in the games that he has played in. Okudah has tallied 145 solo tackles, 14 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. He will join a Vikings secondary along with Isaiah Rodgers (formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles) and Mekhi Blackmon (who is recovering from a torn ACL after being a 2023 draft pick for Minnesota.)
Elder Statesmen Of the Minnesota Vikings’ Secondary
Harrison Smith has also chosen to be a part of this Vikings defensive backfield but there are a couple of names that are not returning or have not signed a new contract with the Vikings yet. The two defenders that come to mind are Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore. They were both offseason additions before the 2024 NFL season. Both produced in a defense that was near the top of the NFL in most statistical categories.
This signing could show that the Minnesota Vikings are planning for life after Smith by giving an athletic and powerful Okudah a chance to show what he’s capable of. Smith is entering his 14th season (all with the Vikings), and it might be difficult to keep performing at a high level after this season. Okudah is a slightly bigger CB at 6-foot-1 tipping the scales over 200 lbs. Smith is 6-foot-2 and weighed about 10 pounds more than Okudah the last time they were both officially weighed.
Vikings’ Defense Puts Okudah In a Position To Win
This is a low-risk, high-reward situation for the Minnesota Vikings. There is a reason that Okudah went third overall in 2020. In Flores’ defensive scheme, they could put Okudah almost anywhere on the field given his bigger frame.
Minnesota’s Future
The Vikings have addressed their major needs with upgrades in the trenches on both sides of the ball. They have also added depth in their RB and CB rooms with guys who have shown they can contribute when given the opportunity.
As the Minnesota Vikings look forward to the 2025 NFL Draft, there are no significant holes that need to be filled. They could draft the best player available when their name is called at No. 24 if they do not trade their pick at the end of April.
It’s an exciting time to be a Minnesota Vikings fan. They are looking forward to seeing who else the Vikings can bring in around Quarterback JJ McCarthy. With Kevin O’Connell on the offensive side and Flores on the defensive side, this could be a truly formidable Vikings team. It is a team that could, and possibly even should, have Super Bowl expectations.
