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Vikings Hosting Former Top 3 Draft Pick for Free Agency Visit
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- Vikings Hosting Former Top 3 Draft Pick for Free Agency Visit
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings were one of the most active teams in the NFL last week, during the league's free agency negotiating (legal tampering) period. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and an empowered head coach , in Kevin O'Connell, teamed up to address most of the major needs on the 2025 roster before we can even smell the draft over the horizon.
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Add major beef iOL and iDL: CHECK
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Re-sign most important defensive backs: CHECK
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A one-two punch at RB that may actually scare teams: CHECK
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Some better depth at LB, who excels on special teams: CHECK
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Sign a veteran QB to pair with JJ McCarthy:
Of course, Aaron Rodgers , all of Minnesota Vikings nation ( and really, the entire NFL ) await Kevin O'Connell's final decision on whether or not to sign the 41-year-old lightning rod quarterback. But while it may seem like that's the only topic on everyone's mind over the past week, the Vikings are still working in the shadows to make this 2025 squad better all around.
Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Most of the free agents Kwesi & Co have targeted are already signed or agreed to terms, but there are other available players the Vikings are going after, but have yet to land. They hosted WR Rondale Moore on Friday, who he left town without signing on the dotted line.
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Minnesota Vikings hosting CB Jeff Okudah on free agency visit
Monday morning, the Vikings announced on their official social media channels that they are hosting 26-year-old cornerback Jeff Okudah, a former No. 3 overall draft pick who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with NFC North rival Detroit .
CB Jeff Okudah has started his free agent visit with the #Vikings . pic.twitter.com/fU5vDxKTL4
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) March 17, 2025
Coming out of Ohio State for the 2020 NFL Draft, Jeff Okudah was one of the most beloved cornerback prospects of the past decade, which is why the Lions drafted him in the top three that April. Unfortunately, his time in Detroit did not go as planned. Injuries were a big factor, but Okudah didn't play well when he did find the field either.
Related: Former Minnesota Viking Ranked Top Remaining Free Agent
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Out of a possible 84 games the Detroit Lions have played since selecting Okudah five years ago, he has played only 44 of them, barely 50%. The most games Okudah has played in one NFL season was in 2022, when he started all 15 of the contests he got on the field for. In 2024, the Buckeye legend played in just 6 games, starting 0. PFF ? Not a fan.
| Season |
Age |
Team |
G |
GS |
Int |
PD |
FF |
Sk |
Tack |
PFF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 |
DET |
9 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0.0 |
47 |
31.0 |
|
| 22 |
DET |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0.0 |
4 |
50.5 |
|
| 23 |
DET |
15 |
15 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
0.0 |
73 |
59.4 |
|
| 24 |
ATL |
13 |
9 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0.0 |
44 |
53.0 |
|
| 25 |
HOU |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0.0 |
9 |
42.5 |
|
| 5 Years |
44 |
31 |
2 |
14 |
1 |
0.0 |
177 |
At 26 years old, nobody is denying the talent Jeff Okudah still possesses. Now, does he have what it takes mentally to make it in the National Football League? Well, given his current career projection, it doesn't look like he'll be around much longer.
But, if there is any team that could teach him to be a better pro in a positive way that produces better results on the field, it's Kevin O'Connell, Brian Flores and the Minnesota Vikings. I'd imagine that this specific free agency visit is more about Vikings brass getting to know the player than vice versa.
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