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Seahawks' Carroll Details Devon Witherspoon at Nickel: 'It's Easy'

Despite the expectations of first-round cornerback Devon Witherspoon playing on the outside for the Seattle Seahawks, the team could transition him to the slot as a nickel corner.

Harrison Reno

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When the Seattle Seahawks used their No. 5 overall NFL Draft pick this past April on Devon Witherspoon, the expectation was for him to partner with second-year cornerback Tariq Woolen on the perimeter for years to come. 

Since being taken by Seattle, many have already compared him to two former 12s, including Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. Yet, through the first two weeks of training camp, the rookie out of Illinois isn't set to play the same role that Sherman did during his 10-year career in the NFL. Instead, the Seahawks likely see Witherspoon's best fit at nickel. Coach Pete Carroll expressed confidence if that's officially where he's at come Week 1 of the regular season.

"There’s so many more assignments that are intricate to the running game that aren’t part of the corner position," Carroll said of Witherspoon. "Being in an area where he gets to pressure as well. He’s got blitz pick up stuff. He’s got all kinds of things that he has to do. I’m telling you it’s not hard for him. It’s easy for him to learn the stuff. He’s going to be able to get it down and that’s not going to be the concern."

It's understandable to question why Witherspoon is making the transition, as he never played the nickel position during his time at Illinois.

While the nickel is most known for covering the slot receivers in football, it has evolved beyond that. In the majority of modern NFL and college defenses, the nickel position has turned into a hybrid of safety and cornerback. Depending on the defensive scheme, coordinators will ask their nickel to help out in run support or function as a blitzer, in addition to coverage responsibilities.

As Carroll said, from what he has seen during camp, none of those responsibilities seem to be a problem for Witherspoon. And when you turned on his college tape, you could find some of what Carroll and co. are looking for at nickel. 

So with Witherspoon on the inside, that means Woolen and either Michael Jackson or Tre Brown will line up outside of the rookie to complete a Seahawks secondary that will also have a three-headed monster at safety with Quandre Diggs, Julian Love, and Jamal Adams.

The Seahawks begin preseason action on Thursday at Lumen Field against the Minnesota Vikings.

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Harrison Reno
HARRISON RENO

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