The Minnesota Vikings do not shy away from elite athletes and former first-round picks. Last year, the team signed defensive tackle Jerry Tillery. During the season, Minnesota added off-ball linebacker Jamin Davis. There are plenty of other examples, and now cornerback Jeff Okudah is the latest.
On Tuesday, the Vikings agreed to terms with Okudah, 26, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound cornerback known for his physicality. The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Okudah’s career has been plagued by injuries. Abdominal surgeries ended his rookie season, then he tore his Achilles in 2021. He also missed games last season in Houston with a hip injury.
The Vikings view Okudah as a low-cost signing with upside. He joins a young cornerbacks room that could receive further additions via the draft.
Welcome to Minnesota, @jeffokudah!
đź“°: https://t.co/VxgRvNtekf pic.twitter.com/YRRYHI12AM
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 18, 2025
How he fits
Cornerback is one of the most questionable position groups on the Vikings roster. They paid Byron Murphy Jr. Third-year pro Mekhi Blackmon tore his ACL last July. The Vikings signed Isaiah Rodgers as an unproven 27-year-old with upside. Undrafted cornerback Dwight McGlothern is another potential option.
Those four corners are slighter, but Okudah brings a bigger frame to the mix. He also has more experience than all of those cornerbacks besides Murphy, playing three seasons of 450-plus snaps. His presence will not spur defensive coordinator Brian Flores to unleash man coverage as much as he did in Miami.
Okudah, though, will push the cornerback room in 2025. He is a younger version of the Shaq Griffin signing from last year. Okudah has man coverage experience and, despite navigating numerous injuries in recent years, will serve as much-needed depth.
2025 impact
The Vikings don’t play with stationary cornerbacks. Murphy won’t be positioned solely on the right or left side. He’ll roam from the outside to the inside depending on the offensive personnel. He’s also capable of dropping into the deep half of the field in non-traditional zone coverages.
Flores does not ask players to tackle tasks they cannot complete. Okudah thrives in short areas, meaning he is not likely to have to cover in large swaths of open grass. His aggressiveness will work near the line of scrimmage, and his explosiveness will show up in those short areas.
Early down opportunities make sense for him depending on the matchup. His playing time could also be contingent on whether or not the Vikings select a cornerback in the draft.
Cap update
Minnesota structured most of its free-agent contracts with light cap hits for 2025. Why? It provides flexibility. Plus, if the salary cap continues to increase drastically the way it has in recent years, the money for the future will be more palatable.
Over The Cap still projects the Vikings to have about $32 million in cap space, though that figure doesn’t account for Harrison Smith’s reworked deal or the signings of Okudah, corner Tavierre Thomas and wide receiver Tim Jones. The Vikings could use that space in plenty of ways.
If a big-time player becomes available — either now or by the trade deadline — the Vikings will have the flexibility to make the move. At worst, the Vikings can roll over some of the cap space for 2026.
Outlook
It’s almost jarring to think about how many major additions the Vikings have made in the last week. They upgraded two interior offensive line spots with Ryan Kelly at center and Will Fries at right guard. They snagged two interior defensive linemen who can rush the passer in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They rounded out their running back room with an Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason platoon.
Health and durability will be integral to how the 2025 season goes for Minnesota, but the improvements are undeniable in a loaded NFC North.
Required reading
• Vikings QB conundrum: If not Aaron Rodgers, who will Minnesota pair with J.J. McCarthy?
• Vikings roster update: How Minnesota’s team looks after first wave of free agency
(Photo: Justin Ford / Getty Images)
