2023 NFL Draft: Why Devon Witherspoon Should Be Near the Top of the Jaguars’ Board
The 2023 NFL Draft season is upon us.
Among the 32 teams building their rosters to compete for the next Lombardi Trophy is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who hold nine picks in this season’s draft -- including the No. 24 overall pick.
As we march closer and closer to April’s draft, we will look at individual draft prospects and how they would potentially fit with the Jaguars. Instead of looking at any negatives, we are going to look at what the players do well and if they could match what the Jaguars need at the specific role or position.
Overview
A late bloomer who didn't start playing football until his junior year of high school, Witherspoon was unranked out of high school despite 11 interceptions in two seasons and his status as a standout multi-sport athlete (basketball, track). The Pensacola, FL. native was named the 2018 Pensacola News Journal Defensive Player of the Year.
Witherspoon went largely underrecruited out of high school, drawing offers from Appalachian State, Georgia State, Massachusetts, Middle Tennessee, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Troy, Temple, and UAB before committing to Illinois.
Witherspoon appeared in 13 games as a true freshman in 2019, starting three and recording 33 tackles and two pass breakups, including a team-lead 13 special teams tackles. He then saw his role increase in 2020, starting seven games and recording 33 tackles, two interceptions, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one tackle for loss.
Entering 2021 as a full-time starter, Witherspoon started 10 games and recorded 52 tackles, eight tackles for loss, one sack, and nine pass breakups, earning All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Witherspoon then absolutely blew up in 2022, becoming the first-ever Illinois finalist for the Thorpe Award and becoming the first-ever defensive back to be named a Consensus All-American in Illinois history, all the result of a season in which he recorded 40 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, three interceptions, and 14 pass breakups in 12 starts -- all while not giving up a single touchdown.
What Devon Witherspoon Does Well
The first thing that stands out about Witherspoon is the level of aggressiveness he plays at despite being just 180 pounds. Whether the ball is in the air or not, Witherspoon takes the fight to the receiver instead of ever letting them dictate the terms, which should alleviate any size concerns since he plays well above his weight. This stands out the most when Witherspoon flies in for tackles at the line of scrimmage, with Witherspoon recording a uniquely high number of tackles for loss in his career.
In coverage, Witherspoon has limited experience in zone but has all of the traits to suggest he could thrive in either zone or man coverage. His processing speed is absolutely top-notch, with Witherspoon showing a terrific feel for route concepts and for what passing games are attempting to accomplish, all while playing with disciplined eyes.
An instinctual cover man, Witherspoon is one of the best cornerbacks in recent years in terms of pulling the trigger and driving downhill to disrupt the catch point. He times his transitions well and plays through the ball, never arriving too early or late and almost always making a play around the receiver's frame to disrupt the pass.
Witherspoon has the ball skills to play downfield, too, showing the ability to play through a receiver's hands and stay in phase with the ball in the air. He isn't the longest cornerback, but his ability to always be in position gives him a chance to fight for every ball thrown his way.
How Devon Witherspoon Would Fit With the Jaguars
Well, this one is obvious. Witherspoon has spent time in the slot in his career and could easily fill in for the Jaguars in the nickel role in 2023 if they intend to start Darious Williams on the outside. Witherspoon's willingness to drive downhill against screens and as a tackler against the run shows he has the potential to run fit from the slot.
With that said, you don't take a talent like Witherspoon to leave him in the slot. This would be purely for 2023, with Witherspoon's true place in the NFL being on an island as a man-coverage cornerback. According to PFF, Witherspoon's 560 man coverage snaps were the second-most of any cornerback in 2022, with Witherspoon recording 18 forced incompletions (No. 2 overall) and a 28.6% forced incompletion rate (tied for No. 4).
Witherspoon isn't the tallest, longest, or fastest cornerback in the class, but his feel for routes and his ability to play the deep ball makes him a top candidate to win on the outside at the next level. For any concerns with his ability to stick with receivers downfield, one should watch him dominate vs. 2022 first-round pick Jahan Dotson in their 2021 matchup.
In short, Witherspoon could give the Jaguars a logical and solid nickel option in 2023, while giving them a premier cornerback prospect to pair with Tyson Campbell for the long-term future.
Verdict
Judging Witherspoon's tape and 2022 production, it is hard seeing him get anywhere near No. 24 overall -- he is a legitimate top cornerback prospect. He excels in man coverage and has inside/outside versatility, giving him all the makings of a top-10 or top-15 pick in most drafts. So, even having a chance to consider him would necessitate a trade up.
But ... Witherspoon has the traits to justify such a move, even if costly. Cornerback is such a valuable position and the Jaguars have such a gaping hole in the cornerback room, that Witherspoon is a player the Jaguars should be willing to move mountains to be able to draft.
For all of our 2023 NFL Draft profiles, click below.
