Seattle Seahawks sophomore cornerback Devon Witherspoon displayed outstanding blitzing abilities as a rookie in 2023. The No. 5 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft recorded three sacks and 10 pressures in 14 appearances as an instant contributor. Witherspoon’s versatile ability to rush the passer landed him a Pro Bowl appearance in his first season.
Head coach Mike Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde brought a new scheme to the Seahawks this year. Witherspoon has been a workhorse for the Seahawks in the defensive backfield, but his pass-rushing opportunities have been limited to date. As a result, Witherspoon hasn’t recorded his first sack of 2024 yet. That should change soon, with Macdonald and Durde affording him more opportunities to blitz opposing backfields.
Devon Witherspoon doesn’t have a sack yet after recording 3.0 in 14 games during his Pro Bowl rookie season. But he has five pressures (nine in ’23), including this one vs. the Rams that should’ve led to an INT. Mike Macdonald said he needs to give him more pass-rushing chances. pic.twitter.com/HVQMJnIPsw
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) November 13, 2024
The Seahawks have posted a 25th-best 21 sacks through nine games. The bye week is muddying those numbers a bit, but Seattle’s pass rush hasn’t been effective enough given its personnel. General manager John Schneider has invested premium resources into a front four that features Boye Mafe, Derick Hall, Dre’Mont Jones, Leonard Williams, and Byron Murphy II on any given down.
Macdonald and Durde spent portions of the bye week analyzing all departments. The pass rush is one that requires answers with room for improvement. Perhaps utilizing Witherspoon as a blitzer with increased frequency could solve that woe.
