Solid Starter
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois – Round 1 
The consensus before the 2023 NFL Draft had the Seahawks taking Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter with the fifth-overall pick, but the team made a surprising selection with Witherspoon. After landing a third-day gem in Tariq Woolen last year, it did not seem like the Seahawks would need to use their high first-round pick on a cornerback, but the prospect of pairing Witherspoon and Woolen together was too tantalizing for them to turn down.
In man coverage, Witherspoon is a talented defensive back who is fast and fluid. He is a smooth cover corner capable of running the route with wideouts to prevent separation, aided by his loose hips and agility. Witherspoon doesn’t take false steps and is sound in his eye discipline. Thanks to his serious quickness, Witherspoon can carry vertical routes and is capable of running with speed receivers. Witherspoon is excellent in zone coverage, using his speed to eat up ground and break hard on the ball.
Withersoon’s tenacity shows up as a run defender, where he will spring across the field and deliver some physical tackles on ball-carriers. The ability to come downhill in zone coverage and deliver a hard hit is impressive for a corner who is a touch undersized. When his teammates allow a long pass or run, Witherspoon shows good effort not to quit on plays and shows how fast he is as he chases down ball-carriers to make touchdown-saving tackles. Witherspoon plays hard and looks like a real competitor.
Witherspoon should be a good fit for Seattle’s scheme as a physical defender who locks down a receiver while providing big plays. The only drawback for Witherspoon in the NFL is his size and style of play. The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder is undersized, and he plays a very violent brand of football, willing to dish out bonerattling hits with zero hesitation. I could see Witherspoon being a good player on the field, but also a player who has issues staying healthy while dealing with injuries. Hence, I think he might be more of a good starter rather than a boom pick.
2022: Kenneth Walker, RB
2021: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR
2020: Darrell Taylor, DE
2019: L.J. Collier, DE
2018: Rashaad Penny, RB
2017: Ethan Pocic, C
2016: Germain Ifedi, OT
2015: Mark Glowinski, G
2014: Cassius Marsh, DE
2013: Chris Harper, WR
Most Likely To Bust
Derick Hall, DE, Auburn – Round 2 
The Seahawks have needed to improve their defensive line and get better at the point of attack, so taking Hall in the second round was somewhat understandable. However, they now have a logjam at the edge-rusher position with Uchenna Nwosu, Darrell Taylor, Boye Mafe, and Hall. It could be tough for Hall to breakthrough given that group of veterans.
As a player, Hall has some limitations for the NFL as well. The 6-foot-3, 254-pounder is too small to be an every-down defensive end. Hence, he will have to move to Sam linebacker. In the sub package, he could rush off the edge and will probably be a rotational player with the veteran group above. Hall also has some stiffness. While he looked better at Senior Bowl and at the combine, the stiffness was an issues in his game tape.
It would not surprise me if Hall has a hard time earning playing time over Taylor and Mafe in the longer term. Thus, of Seattle’s early-round 2023 picks, I think Hall has the largest potential for being a bust.
2022: Boye Mafe, DE
2021: None
2020: Damien Lewis, G
2019: Marquise Blair, S
2018: Will Dissly, TE
2017: Shaquill Griffin, CB
2016: Jarran Reed, DT
2015: Frank Clark, DE
2014: Justin Britt, OT
2013: Jesse Williams, DT
Potential Boom Pick
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, OT, Ohio State – Round 1 
The Seahawks were in the market for a third receiver to pair with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. With Lockett aging and Metcalf signed to a big contract extension, it made sense for Seattle to add another receiving talent on a cheap rookie contract. The Seahawks found an excellent value by being able to select Smith-Njigba at No. 20. That meant they landed the top receiver in the 2023 NFL Draft with their second first-round pick. If Smith-Njigba weren’t injured in 2022 and had put together a similar season to his 2021 season, he probably would have been a lock for the top half of Round 1.
For the NFL, Smith-Njigba is a tremendous slot receiver who possesses quickness, athleticism, and route-running. Like former Ohio State teammates Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Njigba shows polished technique as a receiver. He tracks the ball well and has late hands to reel in passes even with defenders close. While Smith-Njigba is not a pure size mismatch, he has good-enough height and shows an ability to make contested catches over defensive backs. Smith-Njigba displays good feel and instincts, including an ability to break off his routes to get open for his quarterback when plays break down. While he is a little straight line, Smith-Njigba still has some yards-after-the-catch talent with his ability to dart past defenders for extra yardage.
The 6-foot, 193-pound Smith-Njigba could be a dangerous contributor as soon as his rookie season. With D.K. Metcalf commanding No. 1 corners, Smith-Njigba could exploit man coverage from No. 2 and 3 cornerbacks. Thanks to having a competent starter at quarterback, a talented young offensive line, and good running backs, Smith-Njigba finds himself with a very good supporting cast to help him obtain good coverage looks. He has real boom-pick potential for Seattle.
2022: Charles Cross
2021: None
2020: Jordyn Brooks, LB
2019: D.K. Metcalf, WR
2018: Rasheem Green, DE
2017: Malik McDowell, DT
2016: C.J. Prosise, RB
2015: Tyler Lockett, WR
2014: Paul Richardson, WR
2013: Christine Michael, RB
Future Depth Player
Cameron Young, DT, Mississippi State – Round 4 
Even after signing Dre’Mont Jones, the Seahawks needed interior defensive line help, so it was surprising that they waited until the fourth round to find some tackle help. Young was a nice value pick at that part of the draft. While he has some physical limitations, Young could be a solid rotational player who provides some quality snaps while helping to keep the starters fresh. Young may never become an impact-generating starter himself, but he could be a quality depth player for Seattle.
2022: Coby Bryant, OT
2021: Stone Forsythe, OT
2020: Colby Parkinson, TE
2019: Gary Jennings, WR
2018: Shaquem Griffin, LB
2017: Nazair Jones, DT
2016: Nick Vannett, TE
2015: Tye Smith, CB
2014: Kevin Pierre-Louis, LB
2013: Tharold Simon, CB
Walt’s 2023 NFL Draft Grades:
5. Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois – D Grade
Uhh, what? Did the Seahawks forget that they’re experts at drafting cornerbacks in the middle and late rounds? Did they also fail to remember that they have a talented No. 1 cornerback? Seattle really needed to improve its pass rush. Picking Witherspoon here over Jalen Carter seems ridiculous.
20. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State – A+ Grade
How in the world did Jaxon Smith-Njigba drop to Seattle? I understand the Seahawks have D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but the latter is in his 30s and won’t be on the roster much longer. Besides, Seattle needed a better third receiver in the short term. This is a tremendous pick.
37. Derick Hall, DE/OLB, Auburn – C+ Grade
Derick Hall doesn’t have great athleticism and upside, so I thought he should have been slated in the third round. I don’t think this is terrible value, however, and Hall fills a big need for a team that couldn’t get to the quarterback last year.
52. Zach Charbonnet, RB, UCLA – D Grade
I don’t understand this pick. Kenneth Walker had a tremendous rookie year, so a running back was one of the last things the Seahawks needed. I like Zach Charbonnet as a receiving back, but the Seahawks pretty much wasted this selection.
108. Anthony Bradford, OT/G, LSU – B+ Grade
The Seahawks had two stud rookies at tackle last year, but needed help at guard. Anthony Bradford can actually play both positions. He’s a solid prospect who looked very smooth in the combine drills to help himself. This is a quality pick to help Geno Smith.
123. Cameron Young, NT, Mississippi State – B Grade
The Seahawks were terrible against the run last year, so they needed to make a pick like this. Cameron Young will help them stuff the rush. He makes sense in the middle of the fourth round.
151. Mike Morris, DE, Michigan – A- Grade
Mike Morris isn’t a high-upside player, but is a powerful end who can stuff the run and get to the quarterback. He should have been chosen earlier than this, so I love the pick.
154. Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan – A Grade
Olusegun Oluwatimi is a solid center prospect and I thought he would be chosen earlier than this, perhaps late third or early fourth. The Seahawks needed a center, and they’re getting great value.
198. Jerrick Reed, S, New Mexico – B+ Grade
A safety makes sense for the Seahawks, especially one whom I had in the fifth round. Jerrick Reed is a good athlete, but size limitations dropped him. He’s still a good pick here in the sixth frame.
237. Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia – A- Grade
Another running back? This would be much better if the Seahawks didn’t waste a much earlier pick. Kenny McIntosh is a great receiver out of the backfield, and I thought he would go way earlier than this.
2023 NFL Draft Team Grade: B-. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.
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