Count Jamal Adams among those impressed by Seahawks rookie Devin Witherspoon.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft has already made a significant impact on Seattle's defense, which was displayed in Week 7's 20–10 win over the Cardinals. Witherspoon was credited with four tackles and a pass defended but also had an interception and a sack wiped out by penalties.
His most eye-popping play on Sunday was this crushing third-quarter hit on Arizona's Rondale Moore:
Filthy. 🥄
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) October 22, 2023
📺 FOX pic.twitter.com/60EfiQiazJ
Following the game, Adams was asked about Witherspoon's performance. Especially noteworthy was playing both outside cornerback and slot corner during the game. The seven-year veteran couldn't explain how a rookie could switch so smoothly between positions in the secondary.
"I don't know," Adams told the Tacoma News Tribune's Gregg Bell. "You've got to ask him on that. Because my rookie year, I was a--."
"He's a phenomenal football player. Again, hats off to him. He's very smart. He's coachable. He listens. It's a rare find, man. There's a reason why he's a top-five pick. He's definitely not ass," Adams said.
Adams was a highly-touted rookie himself, drafted No. 6 overall by the Jets in the 2017 draft.
Witherspoon currently looks like a favorite for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. If he wins the award, perhaps Adams can give the acceptance speech at the 2023-24 NFL Honors ceremony.
