Four 2020 draft prospects for the Vikings to watch in Week 9
By Luke Parrish
Jeffrey Okudah – CB (Ohio State)
vs. #13 Wisconsin
The 2020 quarterback and wide receiver groups are taking off this year. Teams are going to be hungry for explosive offensive talent which will likely cause some defensive stars to slide a little in the draft.
Ohio State cornerback Jeffrey Okudah should not be forgotten. The junior defensive back is having a monstrous season on the outside for the nation’s second-best defense. The Buckeyes are allowing just 136.3 passing yards per game this year, which is just absurd. Okudah is a big part of that success as he is a pure shutdown corner at the college level and he can do it all in the secondary.
Okudah has been all over the place for the Buckeyes this season. He has a career-high three interceptions already to his name in 2019. His skills are elite for the position as he does a great job of finding the ball and recognizing where the play is going.
His ability to press at the line and make the opposing receiver uncomfortable is all you can ask for in an outside defender. He has good speed and excellent footwork that allows him to stay with his man. His length, when combined with that speed, makes it almost impossible to throw his way.
However, Saturday will be important for one reason; can Okudah consistently help against the run? I think he can but Wisconsin has a dominant rushing attack. Okudah’s ability to come up and hit will be huge early in this game.
With the Vikings facing questions in the secondary moving forward, Okudah would be a nice addition in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Prediction
Wisconsin is not going to throw the ball much early in the game, but they will have to force the issue late. I doubt they target Okudah, but he will make his presence felt as a run defender.