Devon Witherspoon 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Devon Witherspoon 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Time Stamp: March 9, 2023 3:40 PM

The 2023 NFL Draft will be a great event for teams to start building for their future. Here is the Devon Witherspoon 2023 NFL Draft Profile.

Devon Witherspoon Background

Position: Cornerback

School: Illinois

Size: 5-foot-11, 181 pounds

Class: Senior

2022 stats: 41 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions, 14 passes defended

Witherspoon wasn’t the most heralded player early in his career, but he really developed at Illinois. He is now in the 2023 NFL Draft.

As an unranked recruit, Witherspoon signed on with Illinois. He received some playing time as a freshman, registering 33 total tackles and two passes defended. Witherspoon stepped into the starting lineup in 2020, totaling 31 tackles, two interceptions and three passes defended in a COVID-shortened season. Even with Witherspoon’s solid play, Illinois went 2-6. In 2021 he tallied 52 total tackles and eight passes defended. The Fighting Illini improved to win five games that season. For the 2022 season, Witherspoon had 41 tackles, three interceptions and 14 passes defended. He led Illinois to eight wins and an appearance in the Reliaquest Bowl.

Before the Reliaquest Bowl, Witherspoon declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. He is currently projected to be a first-round pick.

Devon Witherspoon Strengths

Witherspoon is great in man-to-man coverage. He can shut down other teams’ top receivers and isn’t afraid to get physical with them, despite his size limitations. Witherspoon has the ability to mirror receivers as they run their routes. He shows good route recognition and is able to use that knowledge to help stay attached to the receiver he is guarding.

His ball skills are also very good. He uses his route recognition to jump routes and make plays on the ball. In man-to-man coverage, he is able to get his head turned around to make plays. When in zone, he uses his eyes well and covers a lot of range to go make plays on the ball. He can swat it or intercept it for the defense.

His play style will have defensive coordinators coveting him. Witherspoon plays with aggression that he takes to all areas of the game. In coverage, he is physical and aggressive. Against the run, Witherspoon flies to the football and is able to make an impact, even as a cornerback. He has a great motor and demeanor to help him at the next level.

Devon Witherspoon Weaknesses

Witherspoon is a little undersized for the position. He will need to add weight to his frame to be able to hold up in the NFL. At just 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds, he will be one of the smaller players on the field. He can still be successful, but may struggle against bigger receivers on the outside.

His long speed will be put to the test at the next level. Witherspoon has been beaten deep, but usually is able to keep plays in front of him. His positioning does cover-up for his speed, but he can struggle to recover if wide receivers start beating him early in the play.

While his aggressiveness is refreshing for a corner, it can get him into trouble. Witherspoon can be so dedicated to making a play that he can also be overaggressive. He is faked out on play-action passes and double moves. He may be able to not bite on these at the next level, but he will have to make sure it doesn’t come at the cost of his aggressive play style entirely.

Projected Draft Range: First-Round Pick

Draft Grade: First-Round Pick

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