This is one of the more complicated “gimme him” articles I’ve had to write this year, mostly because the Seattle Seahawks have three viable candidates at arguably the three biggest positions of need for the Titans.
When looking at the Seahawks’ roster, left tackle Charles Cross, wide receiver DK Metcalf and cornerback Devon Witherspoon were the three obvious choices.
Throughout the season, the majority of my “gimme him” articles have resulted in me picking offensive players for obvious reasons.
However, I’m going to change it up this time around and select someone who could end up being the best cornerback in the NFL over the next decade.
Witherspoon has been fantastic this season, proving that he was worth every bit of the investment Seattle made in him last offseason.
The fifth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft ironically owns the fifth-highest grade among all corners, earning an overall mark of 83.3, per Pro Football Focus.
The Illinois product is only allowing 53 percent of the targets thrown his way to be completed, while also recording 65 tackles, four tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, three sacks, one forced fumble, one interception and one defensive touchdown.
What makes Witherspoon such a dangerous cornerback is the physicality he plays the game with.
And that physicality brings an intimidation factor, which can lead to some uncharacteristic drops from wide receivers who know he’s lurking around and ready to make them go viral for all the wrong reasons.
DEVON WITHERSPOON HIT STICK 🥄
(via @Seahawks)pic.twitter.com/ztjYMeSXrN
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 22, 2023
DEVON WITHERSPOON WHAT A HIT 💥
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) October 3, 2023
Those types of hits are something that was the norm during his college days, and it clearly translates to the pros, as well.
If you haven’t already.
Let me properly introduce you to 6’180lb #Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon. By far the most grittiest/physical cb in this draft.Great in man coverage with solid ball skills.
Not sure I’ve ever seen a CB make a hit like this 👇
— Jared Tokarz (@JaredNFLDraft) January 20, 2023
On top of that, he already has some of the best cover and ball skills in the league, and you’d have to imagine he’s only going to get better over time.
He would immediately give the Titans a true No. 1 cornerback who can match up against the opposing team’s No. 1 wide receiver. Plus, the talented corner comes on a cheap rookie contract for the next couple of years, which would allow the Titans to add other pieces on both sides of the ball.
As much work as the offense needs, I can’t pass up the opportunity to add someone like this to the back end of the Titans’ defense.
