Is Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon Rookie of the Year Favorite? - Locked On Seahawks Podcast

After returning an interception 97 yards for a touchdown in a Week 4 win over the New York Giants in prime time, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has quickly resurfaced as a top candidate to push for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. How much did his breakout game improve his chances?

Corbin K. Smith | Oct 6, 2023

In this story:

Seattle Seahawks

In front of a national audience on Monday Night Football, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon emphatically introduced himself to the world with a breakout performance culminating in NFC Defensive Player of the Year honors, helping lead his team to a 24-3 victory at MetLife Stadium.

Playing in just his third NFL game, Witherspoon didn't miss a beat sliding inside to play 60 snaps in the slot, recording two sacks and intercepting Daniel Jones for a 97-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Playing at a heavier weight class than his 185 pound listed frame, he also delivered a big hit on running back Gary Brightwell, thumping the ball carrier at the line of scrimmage for no gain.

"I've never thought he wouldn’t play like this," coach Pete Carroll said of Witherspoon's outing after the game. "This is why we took him, to be active and to show that he gets this game of football, and this comes easy to him. He’s an explosive, dynamic player. We got to put him in nickel for the first time. This was a process with getting him back out there. He just did a great job again tonight, and you can see why we like him. ... It was a beautiful job. He showed me who he is."

Just three games into his NFL career, Devon Witherspoon already has emerged as a budding superstar in the Pacific Northwest. — Just three games into his NFL career, Devon Witherspoon already has emerged as a budding superstar in the Pacific Northwest / © Steph Chambers, Getty Images

On the heels of a dynamite all-around performance, has "Little Spoon" vaulted himself back into the driver's seat for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year consideration?

Hosts Corbin Smith and Nick Lee discuss why Witherspoon belongs in the discussion as a favorite to win the award and take a look at a couple other Seahawks who could be in contention for major awards four weeks into the 2023 season, including linebacker Jordyn Brooks making a run to become the second Seahawk in as many years to win Comeback Player of the Year.

Smith and Lee also play a spirited game of "Fact or Fiction" looking at the sustainability of statistical oddities for Seattle after four games such as Ken Walker being on pace to rush for 21 touchdowns in 2023 and revisit their Picks to Click from the first four weeks to see which host has fared best so far.

Listen to the latest installment of Locked On Seahawks above!

Follow and Subscribe to Locked On Seahawks on all Podcast platforms 🎧

Follow Corbin Smith on Twitter here, where he'll be sharing the latest news about the Seattle Seahawks and talking with fans.

Published Oct 6, 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.