The Seahawks selected Illinois cornerback Devon Witherspoon with the No. 5 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, a move that looks to be all about drafting the best player rather than picking for need.
When general manager John Schneider was asked last week about what has been the key to the team's best drafts since he and Pete Carroll took over in 2010, he pointed to the ability to get to know the person and the competitor, and also said it was important to not "push players based on specific needs."
Coming into the draft, cornerback didn't look to be a huge need for the Seahawks, who selected Tariq Woolen and Coby Bryant in last year's draft, with Woolen turning into a Pro-Bowler at right cornerback and Bryant taking over the nickel role. Mike Jackson also played well at left cornerback.
But when it came time to pick at No. 5 overall, the Seahawks still went with Witherspoon, making him the first cornerback selected in the first or second round by the Seahawks under Schneider and Carroll. Previously, Shaquill Griffin, a third-round pick in 2017, was the highest drafted corner by Carroll and Schneider.
"I feel a lot of emotions right now," Witherspoon said on a conference call with Seattle-area media. "I'm just happy and excited. I'm just ready to come to work and be a Seahawk."
Witherspoon, who is 6-foot, 185 pounds, helped Illinois have the nation's top scoring defense in 2022, earning first-team AP All-American honors. Witherspoon, who was also named the Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year, recorded 17 passes defensed, three interceptions and 41 tackles in 12 starts.
Witherspoon, who visited Seattle as part of the pre-draft process, talked about the culture of the team and "the Legion of Boom, the history there, I know what it takes to be great like that."
While not the biggest of cornerbacks, Witherspoon is known for his hard hits and physical play.
"I'm energetic, physical, a dog on the field," he said. "I'm just very confident in what I do, passionate, and I just love to show my emotions out there on the field… (playing physical) has always been me. You've got to want to tackle, this game is about tackling, defending the run, it's everything. That's always been me. I've always been confident. I've kind of been undersized all my life, so tackling is what I do."
Witherspoon traveled with opponents' top receivers last year, though with Woolen at right cornerback, it would seem his fit in Seattle is at left corner where he would likely open camp competing with Jackson.
On potentially starting opposite Woolen, Witherspoon said, "I'm excited to be across from that guy. He's a ballhawk, he's a very talented player. I actually got a chance to play against him in college, so I know what he brings to the table. I'm ready to go out there and compete with him and be a great duo on the field."
Devon Witherspoon is a cornerback for the Seahawks and was drafted No. 5 overall in 2023. Take a look at photos of Witherspoon during his college years at Illinois and so far through his rookie season. Witherspoon was a consensus All-American and Big Ten Tatum–Woodson Defensive Back of the Year in 2022 at Illinois.
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against Connecticuton Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in East Hartford, Conn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) defends against Minnesota in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in Minneapolis. Minnesota won 40-17. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) in action during the first half of an NCAA college football game against the Rutgers on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois won 23 - 20. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) makes an interception in front of Rutgers wide receiver Bo Melton (18) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) reacts after making an interception with Illinois defensive back Marquez Beason (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against the Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. Illinois won 23 - 20. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Illinois head coach Lovie Smith stands with Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon, left, tries to recover a fumble against Northwestern during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon steps in front of and breaks up a pass intended for Nebraska wide receiver Oliver Martin late in the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 28, 202, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 30-22. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Illinois defensive back Kerby Joseph (25) intercepts a pass intended for Wisconsin wide receiver Kendric Pryor (3) as Devon Witherspoon also defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Champaign, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Indiana wide receiver Cam Camper (6) is tackled by Illinois's Devon Witherspoon, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against the Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during an NCAA football game against the Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, in West Bloomington, Ind. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon breaks up a pass in the end zone intended for Virginia's Lavel Davis Jr., during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Champaign, Ill. Illinois won 24-3. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Wisconsin wide receiver Chimere Dike (13) goes up for a pass under coverage by Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon (31) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Kayla Wolf)
Devon Witherspoon (31)
Illinois Fighting Illini Football vs. Michigan - 11/20/2022
NFL draft prospect Devon Witherspoon takes part in a Play Football clinic ahead of the NFL draft Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Center High School in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NFL draft prospect Devon Witherspoon takes part in a Play Football clinic ahead of the NFL draft Wednesday, April 26, 2023, at Center High School in Kansas City, Mo. The draft will run from April 27-29. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Illinois defensive back Devon Witherspoon arrives on the red carpet before the first round of the NFL football draft, Thursday, April 27, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon is in his rookie season after being taken fifth overall by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
