Cornerbacks in the NFL have the hardest job in team sports, requiring a special combination of athleticism, football IQ and grit – and even the very best in the world rarely have three good years in a row at this level. If that’s not enough, the rules are also against them. Geared towards offensive production, today’s game allows wide receivers to get away with all kinds of shenanigans without getting flagged and also gives opposing quarterbacks an absurd advantage on under-thrown passes that wind up as horrible DPI calls.
That unmatched level of difficulty just makes it even more important to have multiple quality options on your roster. It’s not enough to have one or even two reliable starters anymore. The quality and depth of the entire unit matters. The Seahawks seem to know this, as they and the rest of the handful of teams that typically draft better than the field all made significant investments at this spot.
While the Seahawks didn’t use an early pick on a top corner prospect, they did add two more promising backups to pair with solid veterans Artie Burns and Mike Jackson in Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James. There’s also Riq Woolen, a maybe-could-be-star-some-day who oozes potential, even if he doesn’t always live up to it. The crown jewel of this unit is the lanky and tenacious Devon Witherspoon, who sews destruction everywhere he lines up but raises the most hell from the slot. Witherspoon has All-Pro potential and might even be a Defensive Player of the Year candidate some day down the line if he improves his tackling.
All together, this is a relatively strong group heading into the 2024 season. Let’s see how they rank compared to the rest. Here’s how Mike Clay at ESPN ranked each team’s cornerback unit after the draft.
Dec 28, 2023; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Jets cornerbacks Sauce Gardner (left) and D.J. Reed…Nov 19, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey (5) celebrates after his…Oct 22, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates his interception with…Oct 2, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) and cornerback Trevon Diggs…Newly acquired cornerback for the Tennessee Titans L'Jarius Sneed fields questions at his press conference at…Lions cornerbacks Amik Robertson, left, and Terrion Arnold run off the field after the organized team…Oct 22, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Jaylon Johnson (33) steps in front…GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 24: Marshon Lattimore #23 of the New Orleans Saints knocks away…Jan 21, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas (31) reacts against…Nov 26, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles cornerback James Bradberry (24) celebrates with cornerback Darius…SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 29: Devon Witherspoon #21 and Tariq Woolen #27 of the Seattle Seahawks…Dec 15, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) rushes past…Nov 27, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) acknkowledges the crowd…Oct 20, 2019; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (14) is defended by…Sep 10, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez (6) prepares for a…Nov 28, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) celebrates with linebacker…Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) runs the ball…Nov 19, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) celebrates cornerback Steven…Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson (35) celebrates with Trent…Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) leaves the field…Sep 25, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) against the Green…Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Mike Hilton (21) is introduced before the first quarter of the NFL Week…Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) spikes the ball after picking up a fumble against the…Oct 2, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn (8) during pregame activity…Nov 12, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. (7) celebrates his interception…Oct 9, 2022; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. (3) and cornerback…Dec 23, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (24) reacts against the…Jan 7, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Richie Grant (27) and cornerback A.J.…LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 14: Cornerback Jack Jones #18 of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates…Sep 10, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes (13) reacts after the Arizona…Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (16) during rookie mini-camp in Tempe on May 10, 2024.Dec 11, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks (25) celebrates…
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