As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Devon Witherspoon.
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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
Devon Witherspoon (CB – Illinois)
6’0” – 180 lbs.
Background:
Started playing football as a high-school junior. Started three games as a freshman and played heavily in several more, finishing with 389 snaps on the year and allowing just 9/19 targets to be completed (47.4%) for 160 yards and two breakups. Has been starting ever since, with lines of 23/33 (69.7%), 381 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions in 2020; 34/58 (58.6%), 421 yards, one touchdown, and six breakups in 2021; and quarterbacks went 22/63 for 206 yards and three interceptions in 2022, by far his most productive season, breaking up fourteen passes.
Positives:
Four-year starter who hasn’t been playing football for too long and has a favorable developmental trajectory. Has experience both outside and inside, but typically plays man coverage on the outside. Height and length look to be in line with pro requirements for the outside. Swaggering temperament may be well-suited to the position. Brings a physical, competitive approach to the game. Flies around the field, playing with a sense of urgency; fast enough to carry receivers downfield or even stick with them on shallow crosses. Quick-twitch player who diagnoses quickly and trusts his instincts, resulting in a high rate of impressive splash plays. Aggressively closes on throws in front of him and is aggressive at the catch point; broke up a ton of passes this past year, with good flexibility to position himself. Impressive closing burst to get in-phase. Gets his head around to locate when his back is turned. Plenty of suddenness/flexibility to work around blocks and get to the ballcarrier. Can deliver tone-setting hits when he successfully lines up opponents.
Negatives:
Still needs to add additional bulk. Undisciplined player in several facets of the game. Aggressiveness can be used against him through double-moves and play design. Can be pulled up by underneath routes on combinations, giving up the higher route. Somewhat penalty-prone, being flagged eleven times over the past two years; can be too physical through the stem or arrive too early for breakups on some underneath throws. Can be an unreliable tackler who flies by targets without breaking down. Lapses into throwing his body around instead of consistently wrapping opponents. Relatively less experience working in zone.
Summary:
Ultra-aggressive man-cover corner who brings an edge to the game and plays like his hair is on fire. That approach has served him well at Illinois, allowing him to break up a ton of passes and rack up some big hits this past season, but it’s possible that his lack of discipline may rub some coaches the wrong way and could allow some offenses to exploit him with effective play design. A high-risk, high-reward pick.
Projection: Round 1-2
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