Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today —Thursday, September 28 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Devon Witherspoon flashes early potential, impressing Seattle Sports 710AM's Brock Huard.
In April, Seattle selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.). After missing the season opener with a hamstring injury, Witherspoon has caught the eye of Seattle Sports 710AM’s Brock Huard, who declares the Fighting Illini alum has “already stood out” in just two games.
The injury bug has bit Seattle recently on both sides of the ball, namely on the offensive line and in the secondary. Rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon returned from his hamstring injury in Week 2, however, starting each of the past two games at left cornerback. In Seattle's 37-27 win over Carolina, Witherspoon had a team-high 11 tackles and two passes defensed. Carolina quarterback Andy Dalton targeted the rookie 13 times per Pro Football Focus, but Witherspoon allowed just five catches for 31 yards. Earlier this week, PFF writer Dalton Wasserman broke down Witherspoon’s early play in his latest evaluation of first-round talent through three weeks.
PICK NO. 5: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: CB DEVON WITHERSPOON
Overall Rookie Grade: 65.7 (Rank: 6/17)
Principal Opponent: DJ Chark Jr.
Week 3 Snaps: 79
Week 3 Grade: 70.0
Witherspoon was targeted a whopping 13 times in Week 3 but allowed just five catches for 31 yards, collected two pass breakups and led the team with 11 tackles. He surrendered one first down, which was his only reception allowed that went for longer than six yards. Even more impressive is that Witherspoon was thrust into a CB1 role with Riq Woolen sidelined. Witherspoon showed he can be half of what should be a fearsome duo once Woolen is healthy.
On Tuesday, Seattle Sports 710AM duo Brock Huard and Mike Salk discussed Witherspoon's play on their weekly Brock & Salk show. After reviewing the film on Witherspoon's first two games, Huard came back with a glaring praise about his intangibles and who his tackling style is reminiscent of.
"We saw an instinctive player," said Huard. "When you combine that with elite athleticism, you get the No. 5 pick in the draft. When you combine those heady instincts and, 'I'm going to see it before it happens and I'm going to take the right step,' and then you've got the athletic arrogance to back it up and go knock dudes out, that's how you become the fifth pick in the draft."
The offseason saw Witherspoon hobbled by a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss the 2023 preseason. Huard breaks down why Witherspoon's quick adjustment to the NFL game without a real offseason to prepare makes him worth keeping an eye on this season and for the future.
"The first two Sundays have been doubles," said Huard. "He's had extra-base hits in both of them knocking guys out of the game, fourth-down stops twice in Detroit. If this is just the beginning, man, we are in store for a great story."
Witherspoon and the Seahawks prepare to face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Another opportunity for Witherspoon to showcase why his No. 5 selection was warranted and just how high his ceiling is looking forward.
Social Post Of The Day
The Pro Football Hall of Fame wishes Seahawks Legend Steve Largent a Happy Birthday!
More from Around The Web
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: The Seahawks lead the NFL with 15 rookies. Here’s how they’re doing.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker III named NFC Offensive Player of the Week.
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Bump: Seahawks should take page from Dolphins to get JSN going.
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: How Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon has already stood out.
Brent Steeler of Seattle Sports 710AM: An easy tweak to Seahawks’ offense that Bumpus wants to see.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: How will the Seahawks use Jamal Adams? His versatility gives them lots of options.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Seahawks’ flashy Devon Witherspoon is getting targeted more than any NFL DB. He’s winning.
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Ken Walker III Emerging as Superstar in Seattle's Backfield - Locked On Seahawks Podcast.
Steve Largent was a wide receiver and played for the Seahawks from 1976-1989. He was the first Seahawks player to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Largent was a seven-time Pro Bowler and was the 1988 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Take a look back at some of the best photos and moments from Largent's career with the Seattle Seahawks.
