NFC Notes: Lions, Packers, Vikings

Lions

Lions OC Darrell Bevell expects his rookies to contribute in 2020 despite not having a preseason.

“All our rookies coming in, definitely they’re going to be behind the eight ball a little bit,” Bevell said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “The Zoom meetings I think have helped. We’ve had more meeting time than we’ve ever had, so in terms of the information, I think they’re going to be able to handle some of that. But still, you have to have applied science. You got to get out there on the grass and be able to see them react and read.”

Lions DC Cory Undlin attempted to tailor the expectations for CB Jeff Okudah, who is the highest-drafted cornerback since Shawn Springs, and whose Ohio State teammates Denzel Ward and Marshon Lattimore made the Pro Bowl in their rookie seasons.

Okudah is expected to start opposite CB Desmond Trufant with CB Justin Coleman playing the slot.

“We have not played a snap yet, we haven’t even practiced a snap yet,” Undlin said. “So his challenge right now is just being out there on the first day, and don’t care where we drafted him, where he came from, that position comes with challenges.”

• Lions QB Matthew Stafford said he did not seriously consider opting out of the 2020 season. (Justin Rogers)

Packers

• Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Sentinel-Journal, Packers HC Matt LaFleur says the goal for DL Montravius Adams is to be more assignment-sound to keep his spot on the team: “We have to make sure he knows what to do. He knows it, as do our coaches, it’s a big year for him.”

Vikings

• Per the Athletic’s Chad Graff, Vikings ST coordinator Marwan Maalouf says the team drafted WR K.J. Osborn in the fifth round primarily because of his ability as a punt returner. 
• However, Vikings WR Chad Beebe, CB Mike Hughes, first-round WR Justin Jefferson and RB Ameer Abdullah will also get looks there.