Three Seahawks 2023 rookies that should have the biggest impact

Seahawks impact player No. 3: Cornerback Devon Witherspoon

I have to go with the most obvious player here, right? I don't have receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on this list because it takes most receivers a bit more time to acclimate to the NFL. Plus, while Smith-Njigba might immediately be WR3 he would not, of course, be WR1 or WR2 and will likely see fewer targets. Smith-Njigba might eventually replace Tyler Lockett one day, but not in 2023.

Witherspoon on the other hand should immediately be pressed into playing one outside corner spot. And he has the ability to completely change the way the Seahawks play defense. Seattle has been much more of a zone defense than they were in the early 2010s. Then, with players like Richard Sherman, the Seahawks could press and this allowed players like Kam Chancellor to help with run support even more.

Seattle probably will start 2023 by playing a regular zone base. But as Witherspoon adjusts to the speed of the NFL, they will likely move to more of press coverage with Witherspoon on one side and Tariq Woolen on the other. The signing of safety Julian Love cannot be undervalued, especially with Seattle taking Witherspoon. Love is an excellent tackler and good in run support and if Woolen and Witherspoon do their jobs well in press coverage, Love can feast on running backs and tight ends.

But Witherspoon has to be as good as advertised. If he isn't, Seattle wasted a number 5 pick. But assuming Witherspoon is very good, Seattle is about to embark on the Legion of Boom 2.0 and the NFL better be ready.