The Seahawks have two first-round picks and two second-round choices. Taking a cornerback isn't out of the realm of possibility with one of these. In fact, Seattle might want to remake the Legion of Boom and what better way to do that then draft a potential stud to play opposite Tariq Woolen?
If Seattle wants to take a CB in the first-round, they should have excellent choices at both pick number 5 and number 20. General manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll haven't chosen a cornerback in the first two rounds since they came to Seattle in 2010. It might not make sense for them to do it this draft as well, but then the Seahawks zig many times people expect them to zag.
While Seattle is more likely to take an edge rusher or interior defensive lineman at pick 5, there is at least one cornerback who might be intriguing enough for them to shock the world and take that player at 5. At number 20, Seattle would have a number of CBs to choose from. Assuming Seattle is creating LOB 2.0, here are three CBs worth taking high in the 2023 NFL draft.
Player 1: Seahawks could take Penn State's Joey Porter, Jr.
Pete Carroll likes lengthy corners and that is what Porter is. He is 6'2" and about 200 pounds with good speed. He was timed at 4.46 speed in the 40 and that is good enough to keep up with most receivers deep. But where Porter really excels is in press coverage. He knows how to be physical at the point of attack and Carroll would love that.
Where Porter struggled a bit in 2022, though, was in run support. He missed 6 tackles and missed tackles really hurt the Seahawks in 2022. One reason Mike Jackson ended up starting 17 games for Seattle is because he was a good tackler even though he struggled in coverage at times. Porter has the size to help in run support, however, and likely just needs to learn better technique.
Porter was pretty consistent throughout his college career as well, so basically what you've seen is what you are going to get. In 2022, he allowed 15 completions when targeted 30 times and didn't allow a touchdown pass. He also didn't get an interception, though, (he only had 1 pick total in college) so his ability to take the ball away isn't close to Woolen-esque at this point. Porter might still be around at pick 20 if the Seahawks want him.
Player 2: Seahawks could take Oregon's Christian Gonzalez
Gonzalez is an inch shorter than Porter but still has good size at 6'1" and 200 pounds. Again, Carroll likes his corners long. But Gonzalez is a much better athlete than Porter. While Porter ran a 4.46 40, Gonzalez has been timed at 4.38. That is plenty fast to keep up with most NFL receivers. Gonzalez is also a much better ball-hawk than Porter and finished 2022 with 4 interceptions.
Gonzalez is also a much better tackler than Porter and missed on 3 tackles in 2022. In fact, while Seattle taking Porter at number 5 overall would be a mistake as they have other pressing needs, taking Gonzalez at 5 overall might be necessary if the Seahawks really want to add him to the team. He has few weaknesses but there is one that might cause Schneider and Carroll to pause.
That weakness is that while Gonzalez is athletic and has good coverage skills and can help in run support, he seems to lack playing with a chip on his shoulder. Carroll loves the Richard Sherman types that have good size and skill but also want to ruin the other team's life. Gonzalez hasn't shown that kind of killer instinct yet.
Still, Gonzalez is a versatile player (he played 500 snaps at outside corner in 2022 but 138 snaps in the slot) who can help Seattle in a multitude of ways. He also doesn't have to step in and be the number 1 corner; That's Tariq Woolen's job. But an NFL quarterback assuming his number 2 option might be open versus Gonzalez might be a terrible mistake for that QB.
Player 3 (really No. 1): Seahawks could take Illinois' Devon Witherspoon
Witherspoon doesn't have the height or weight of Porter or Gonzalez. But that basically ends the negatives in comparison to those two players as far as the Seahawks are concerned. Carroll likes guys with the proverbial chip on their shoulders and that is how Witherspoon plays. There is no situation that Witherspoon backs down from and in nearly every situation, Witherspoon excels.
In 2022, Witherspoon allowed just 22 receptions on 62 targets but for only 206 yards. That means he averaged on 3.3 yards per target. He also missed just 5 tackles, forced 18 incompletions and picked off 3 passes. And besides his physical skill, he might be the smartest corner coming into the 2023 draft and seems to know where the ball is going before the quarterback throws it.
One drawback to Witherspoon is that he is sometimes a little bit too aggressive. If he tries to jump routes early in his career too often, NFL quarterbacks are going to take advantage of that. It is difficult for a player who thrives on aggression to back off a bit, but Witherspoon may need to do that until he adjusts to the speed of the league.
But Witherspoon is worth a number 5 choice. Maybe Seattle needs to address issues at defensive tackle and at edge rusher, but if they want to think about solidifying the secondary for years to come, Witherspoon could be the pick. He is great against the pass and the run. And teamed with Woolen, the Seahawks could have one of the best CB duos in the league for the next several years.