Seahawks get it right with Devon Witherspoon at pick 5 in 2023 NFL Draft
By Lee Vowell
With the fifth pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Seattle Seahawks added cornerback Devon Witherspoon from Illinois. Seattle added talent to its defensive line this offseason by signing Dre’Mont Jones and Jarran Reed, and Seattle’s inside linebacker group should be better with Bobby Wagner returning and the addition of Devin Bush. Witherspoon, though, could help Seattle build LOB 2.0.
Seattle’s offense was good enough to win in 2022 for the most part. Except for about four or five games, though, the defense was not good and that is putting it mildly. The defense held the team back for much of the season, and yet Seattle still won 9 games and made the playoffs.
Now with better talent on defense and the offense basically remaining intact, the Seahawks could make a deep run in the playoffs. But the addition of Witherspoon makes an improving defense a truly dangerous one. With Tariq Woolen on one side and Witherspoon on the other, plus what should be an excellent safety duo or trio, Seattle’s inconsistent defense should be one in 2023 that every team struggles with.
Devon Witherspoon is a home run pick for the Seattle Seahawks
Witherspoon did have just one spectacular season in college but that happens. He isn't the tallest corner either, but just watch Witherspoon on tape. Not only is he sticky with press coverage from the time the ball is snapped, he loves to hit. Witherspoon might simply be the biggest hitter for a Seahawks cornerback since Richard Sherman.
Sherman helped Tariq Woolen last offseason. You can bet Sherman will be around again this offseason at the VMAC and he should love working with Witherspoon. Witherspoon is tenacious, plays with a chip on his shoulder, but has great quickness.
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To me, this is a home run pick for Seattle. No, he doesn't help the defensive line directly, but he does help the defense overall because he and Woolen should be shutdown corners and give the defensive line and edge rushers time to get home. But Witherspoon is going to help in run defense as well. This is an A+ pick.