The Seattle Seahawks went cornerback with their first-round choose within the 2023 NFL Draft. They selected Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois with the fifth general choose on the draft held in Kansas Metropolis. Right here we’ll have a look at three professional participant comparisons for the Seahawks’ first-round 2023 NFL Draft choose Devon Witherspoon.
Seattle chosen Devon Witherspoon within the first spherical of the draft. This marked their first cornerback choose within the first spherical since Kelly Jennings in 2006. Regardless of drafting three quarterbacks and a pass-rusher earlier than him, the Seahawks prioritized addressing their secondary wants by choosing Witherspoon at No. 5.
Witherspoon was considered the highest participant in his place for this draft class. The 22-year-old Witherspoon is now anticipated to start out alongside Tariq Woolen. Recall that Woolen led the league in interceptions as a rookie final yr regardless of being picked within the fifth spherical.
Final season, Witherspoon had a career-high 14 cross breakups and three interceptions whereas enjoying for Illinois. Do not forget that their protection had essentially the most spectacular factors allowed file within the nation.
Witherspoon was an enormous a part of that. He’s an agile cornerback who has confirmed to be a flexible participant, able to adapting to totally different schemes and positions. In truth, he was named first-team All-American and excelled in protection. That’s whether or not he’s enjoying press or off protection. He additionally has nice management over his actions, permitting him to react rapidly to any scenario.
Devon Witherspoon is bringing elite defensive expertise to the Seattle Seahawks 😤 #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/s5JDpz0hum — ESPN (@espn) April 28, 2023
Let’s have a look at three professional participant comparisons for Devon Witherspoon.
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Witherspoon stands out as a bodily cornerback who is extremely expert in protection. He’s significantly adept at getting his arms on receivers early in press protection and sustaining his physicality all through the route. Whereas he could not have elite high velocity, Witherspoon compensates along with his method as a canopy man. This might make him a direct affect participant if he trusts himself and his coaches. His potential as a mismatch defensive again makes him a helpful addition to the Seahawks secondary.
Witherspoon is an clever defender who has wonderful imaginative and prescient and route recognition. He not often seems to be confused on the sphere and is at his greatest when enjoying in zone protection and utilizing his anticipation to leap routes and make large hits. Certain, he could battle to maintain up with sooner receivers. Nonetheless, he can sink his hips and alter path when protecting receivers downfield. Moreover, he has the ball abilities essential to find and play the ball, even when his again is turned to it. His talent set is much like that of Inexperienced Bay’s Jaire Alexander, who’s a two-time All-Professional and Professional Bowler.
Witherspoon’s cowl potential is spectacular resulting from his velocity and athleticism. This enables him to remain on the route and forestall separation. He’s recognized for being a aggressive participant, however some wish to see him get stronger as he has a slender decrease physique. Regardless of this, Witherspoon has the potential to turn out to be a beginning cornerback within the NFL. He could even develop right into a top-tier No. 1 nook.
Sure, he could not have the bodily stature or agility of different high prospects in his place. Nonetheless, Witherspoon compensates along with his wonderful preparation and anticipation abilities. He’s additionally a pure chief and a fierce competitor who’s keen to make tackles within the flat. This makes him much like former Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters. Recall that Peters was named the 2015 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Yr and was a four-time All-Professional and three-time Professional Bowler. Witherspoon ought to be flattered by this comparability.
3. Joe Haden
Devon Witherspoon’s toughness is obvious in his run protection. This child is simply keen to fly throughout the sphere and make bodily tackles on ball carriers. Regardless of being barely undersized, he can come down onerous in zone protection and ship large hits. Even when his teammates enable an extended cross or run, Witherspoon exhibits nice effort and dedication to chase down the ball provider. He could make necessary tackles to save lots of touchdowns. Total, Witherspoon is a extremely aggressive participant who provides his all on the sphere.
We see similarities between Witherspoon and former NFL participant Joe Haden. This can be a former veteran who performed for the Browns and Steelers. Like Witherspoon, Haden was a robust competitor with easy athleticism that helped him stick with receivers and forestall separation. Each gamers additionally had good, however not distinctive velocity. Haden, nevertheless, was in a position to maximize his abilities and was acknowledged as a Second-team All-Professional in 2013 and a three-time Professional Bowler. Witherspoon has the potential to match and even surpass that.