Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon 'Absolutely Stellar'; Commanders Take in NFL Draft?

The Washington Commanders will likely eye a cornerback in this year's NFL Draft. Could Illinois' Devon Witherspoon be the guy?

There has been a contingent of people who project Illinois Fighting Illini cornerback Devon Witherspoon to the Washington Commanders in the first round of the NFL Draft since before the Scouting Combine last week.

Now that the scouting event is done, the Commanders are still being tied to the young corner, signaling that Witherspoon hasn't been hurt by his inability to fully take part in Indianapolis. 

"Witherspoon is my CB1 in this class, and I don't think the fact that he missed the combine workouts with a hamstring injury will affect his stock at all," says USA Today in its post-combine mock draft. "Witherspoon has absolutely stellar tape, and he allowed 22 catches last season on 62 targets...no touchdowns, three interceptions...and an opponent passer rating of 25.3, the Commanders (or any other NFL team) would be fortunate to have him."

The mock wasn't done there, however, coming in the three-round variety. 

In round two Washington again addresses the secondary, taking Texas A&M safety Antonio Johnson. 

"A contemporary defensive back, Johnson defines the role of an Apex defender with equal coverage and run defense skills," says Johnson's draft profile.

And with pick No. 97 in the third round, the Commanders select Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown who The NFL Draft Bible calls, "A rangy stacked backer whose athletic profile lends him to versatile usage on the football field."

A whole lot of defensive pieces in this three-round mock NFL Draft for a team that found its strength on that side of the ball.

With no offensive lineman selected in the first two days, Washington will need to address that group in free agency in order to follow the blueprint laid out here.

Find David Harrison on Twitter @DHarrison82 and on the Locked On Commanders podcast.

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