Corner and Okudah's 5th Year Team Option

There were reports that he has been playing with an elbow injury for about a month and the coaching staff finally pulled him because he was not getting better. Now only the Lions know if this is true or not, but it does explain his tackling numbers dropping.

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Seems like if it is medical, we will keep his option and give him a chance to redeem. If we see them cut him immediately, then it is likely something else.

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When they first came up with the concept it was fully guaranteed. Now its not.

I guess the new GM wanted to go in a different direction? They had three 1st round picks that year and he declined the 5th year option on all of them. Here is a 5th year option projection chart by overthecap. You can see that the 5th year option increases due to guys getting a certain amount of playing time or making pro bowls. So while we get excited about seeing our young guys making pro bowls, it makes their 5th year options more expensive.

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Rookie year - Hamstring, shoulder, groin - Finished season on IR
2nd year - Blew Achilles Game 1 - Missed Entire season, finished on IR
3rd year - Concussion and Elbow injury - Finished the season inactive.

I think durability is a real consideration here.

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Okudah lacks speed. He will never be a shut down corner without legitimate speed.

Richard Sherman Was literally one of the best cornerbacks of his generation and he is slower than a Okudah. His lack of tap and speed will not be what holds him back.

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No disagreement from me. That is another of those tough decisions that MCDC and Holmes will have to make this offseason. Personally I am not leaning one way or another, though my gut says they will make next year a contract year for him and forget the 5th year option.

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Weird, because OTC says it’s fully guaranteed.

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I think you have it backwards, originally you used to be able to exercise it and cut the player before the start of his fifth year.

In the last CBA, they changed that, when exercised (May of 4th year), their fifth year salary is fully guaranteed.

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They didn’t clear that with me. Hold up, I’m calling Goodell right now.

Phone Monkey GIF

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I pick up the option on Okudah

You get some better talent on that defense, Okudah is going to look a lot better.

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For me it depends on what they do in FA and the draft. If they take a CB in the first round and sign a top-flight CB, I can’t see picking up an option for 11m. If those two things don’t happen, I would imagine it make sense to pick up the option.

I’d keep him for that 5th year. It’s guaranteed for injury. He’d become my #2 or 3 CB for that one year. Like others have said, I’d get a bonafide starter in FA and draft the best prospect I can, in the first. Done.

Rumor is he is still impacted by the “illness like he showed up on the report for a few weeks ago, think the week before panther game. Think that is a bigger issue. I dunno if he is a number 1 but he isn’t a guy you let walk.

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I’ve been as high on Okudah as anyone. He had a long enough stretch of very good, bordering on elite play that would make me comfortable enough to pick up that option. His injury history is what is starting to concern me.

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Maybe could trade him for a 3rd

I agree when you see what others are being paid 11 will be cheap. I think he has been hurt with elbow an this past week during practice he hurt it more.

I think they will try a resign Harris an Hughes Will they over pay but would like to get them back.

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Yup - this guy works hard & is a perfect culture fit → fantastic warrior
I feel like he went through a stint where he wasn’t as good in run support (something he’s normally really good at), which suggests injury).

If you think he can stay healthy → ya sign him. He’s going to get better, as said here.

Holmes was not very convincing when asked about Okudah today. Said it was like a rookie year with ups and downs, and he was proud he came back from the injury. Said Jeff would be accountable for his play moving forward.

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Heard the same thing and his lack of tackling would be a liability.