Seahawks 90-Man Countdown: CB Coby Bryant - Slot Turnover Machine

Quietly rounding into form at a new position during his rookie year, while competition awaits to push him, a talented Seattle Seahawks secondary could be even better if Coby Bryant takes a major step forward out of the slot in nickel and dime packages in 2023.

Corbin K. Smith | Jul 8, 2023

In this story:

Seattle Seahawks

With the calendar flipping to July and offseason activities in the rearview mirror, the Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC later this month, officially ushering in the 2023 season.

To celebrate the new incoming season, we'll be detailing every member of the Seahawks 90-man roster over the next several weeks, exploring best and worst case scenarios and what to expect from each player entering the 2023 campaign.

Coby Bryant, Cornerback

Height/Weight: 6-1, 198 pounds

2022 Stats: 70 tackles, four forced fumbles, two sacks

Despite receiving limited interest coming out of high school in Cleveland, Ohio, Bryant committed to Cincinnati and played in 12 games as a true freshman, setting the stage for a fantastic collegiate career. Enjoying a breakout sophomore season despite playing with a fractured hand, he registered two interceptions and nine pass breakups. Over the next three seasons, with quarterbacks targeting him frequently due to the presence of future top-five pick Sauce Gardner opposite of him at the other cornerback spot, he registered seven interceptions, 19 pass breakups, and a defensive touchdown while winning the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's best defensive back as a senior for the Bearcats.

Thanks it part to underwhelming athletic testing at the NFL combine, Bryant fell into day three of the 2022 NFL Draft before the Seahawks selected him in the fourth round. After playing primarily outside corner at Cincinnati, the team slid in him inside to the slot during training camp and while he endured growing pains at a new position, he wound up playing 756 defensive snaps as a rookie, leading all corners in forced fumbles and allowing no touchdowns in his final eight games in coverage.

Best-Case Scenario: Far more comfortable with his surroundings playing in the slot, Bryant fends off several challengers for snaps in nickel and dime packages, including newcomers Julian Love and Jerrick Reed II, and turns in a strong sophomore season with two interceptions, three forced fumbles, and six pass breakups as a key contributor in a star-studded Seahawks secondary.

Worst-Case Scenario: After missing most of Seattle's offseason program with a toe injury, Bryant gets off to a slow start in his second training camp and struggles a bit in the preseason, leaving the door open for Love to steal many of his snaps from a year ago as a versatile third safety and limiting him primarily to special teams duty as a reserve cornerback in the regular season.

What to Expect in 2023: Predictably, Bryant dealt with some first-year woes adjusting to life inside in the slot, allowing opposing quarterbacks to complete 47 out of 61 targets for 483 yards, two touchdowns, and a 110.2 passer rating against him. But he made marked improvements as the year progressed, missing no tackles and allowing no touchdowns in the final eight regular season games, displaying the type of positive growth the Seahawks hoped for. He also demonstrated a flair for creating clutch turnovers, punching the football out with expert tactfulness.

Given his improved play in the second half and still limited experience playing inside, it would be a disappointment if Bryant isn't able to take a significant step forward in 2023. However, if he isn't able to elevate his game, defensive snaps could be at stake with Love's previous background playing in the slot and incoming rookie Devon Witherspoon's ability to slide inside putting pressure on him to perform if he wants to keep his job. Following a promising rookie season, he should be the favorite to retain the nickel job, but he will have to beat out worthy competition to keep the role.

Previous Seahawks 90-Man Profiles

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Seahawks? Click Here to subscribe to AllSeahawks.com's Newsletter.

Follow All Seahawks.com on Twitter and Facebook

Make sure to subscribe to our daily podcast @lockedonseahawks today! Click here To Listen.

Want even more Seattle Seahawks news? Check out the SI.com team page here.

Published Jul 8, 2023

CORBIN K. SMITH

Graduating from Manchester College in 2012, Smith began his professional career as a high school Economics teacher in Indianapolis and launched his own NFL website covering the Seahawks as a hobby. After teaching and coaching high school football for five years, he transitioned to a full-time sports reporter in 2017, writing for USA Today's Seahawks Wire while continuing to produce the Legion of 12 podcast. He joined the Arena Group in August 2018 and also currently hosts the daily Locked On Seahawks podcast with Rob Rang and Nick Lee. Away from his coverage of the Seahawks and the NFL, Smith dabbles in standup comedy, is a heavy metal enthusiast and previously performed as lead vocalist for a metal band, and enjoys distance running and weight lifting. A habitual commuter, he resides with his wife Natalia in Colorado and spends extensive time reporting from his second residence in the Pacific Northwest.