Although most people are praising rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks for his performance this season, co-host of The Herd with Colin Cowherd Jason McIntyre has a different opinion.
Following the Seahawks’ thrilling victory over the Washington Commanders in the final seconds of Week 10, McIntyre chastised Witherspoon, claiming the 2023 Defensive Rookie of the Year contender hasn’t accomplished anything since his breakthrough performance against the New York Giants in Week 4.
The rookie Devon Witherspoon of the Seahawks has not impressed Jason McIntyre.
Devon Witherspoon, the fifth overall pick by the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft, made a powerful announcement about his arrival in the NFL during Week 4 when he went off on national television during a Monday Night Football game against the New York Giants.
There was no denying Witherspoon’s stat line. With seven tackles, two tackles for a loss, three quarterback hits, two sacks, one pass defensed, and an interception that he returned 97 yards for a touchdown, the rookie cornerback had a great night’s performance.
He is still one of the favorites for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award six weeks after that performance placed him in the running.
Still, Jason McIntyre is not impressed.
“Witherspoon had an amazing Monday night game, and she hasn’t shown up since then,” McIntyre said to Cowherd after the Seahawks defeated the Commanders in Week 10. “Last week’s second half saw Sam Howell running up and down the field in a frightening manner.”
It’s a little absurd to blame a rookie, especially one as talented as Witherspoon, for the Seahawks secondary’s shortcomings. Is McIntyre correct, though, in claiming that Witherspoon hasn’t appeared in the previous five games?
Let’s look at the numbers.
Is McIntyre Right About Witherspoon?
The Seahawks have lost three straight games and allowed 22 points per game since that fateful Monday night when Devon Witherspoon made a huge splash in the NFL. Before that historic victory over the Giants, the squad was 2-1 through three games of the season while giving up 29.3 points per contest.
Witherspoon’s rise to prominence and subsequent slot conversion following Coby Bryant’s injury appear to have improved the defense as a whole.
While Witherspoon hasn’t quite controlled a game the way he did in Week 4, it would be inaccurate to claim he “hasn’t shown up since then.”
Witherspoon received an astounding 90.9 overall grade from PFF against the Giants, and it was well deserved. The rookie cornerback performed admirably in the next two games against the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals, with grades of 83.0 and 83.3, respectively.
Witherspoon did have some difficulty at points in the next two games. Against the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns, PFF graded him 52.5 and 56.2, respectively. Witherspoon, nevertheless, rebounded with a 72.7-graded game in the thrilling Seahawks Week 10 victory over the Commanders, due to 5 tackles, a forced fumble, and 3 passes defended.
Although Witherspoon hasn’t had an interception since Week 4, it’s understandable that someone like McIntyre, who merely follows the Seahawks on the fringes, would believe he “hasn’t shown up” in that time. Yes, like all rookies, Witherspoon has had her ups and downs, but overall, the Las Vegas oddsmakers concur that she has been comparatively consistent.
According to Covers.com, defensive tackle Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles is the clear favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year with -210 odds. Witherspoon, though, is immediately behind him with odds of +175. The Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch is the next player on the board and is listed at +2400, so if the oddsmakers are correct, only the two rookies have a shot to win DROY.
Even if Witherspoon might not dominate every game the way he did against the Giants, it would be absurd to ignore the fact that he is among the league’s top rookies in 2023.
