Surprise pick at number one in this 2023 NFL mock draft
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Cornerback. player. 807. . Devon Witherspoon. 9
9. Chicago Bears: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
Depending on who you ask, Devon Witherspoon is the best cornerback prospect in the draft but others will say that honor goes to Christian Gonzalez. Either way, I’ve got Witherspoon going first to the Chicago Bears.
The Bears have already made several free agent signings, as they gear up for the 2023 season, and adding a potential lockdown corner to their defense would go a long way toward a successful season. With Aaron Rodgers presumably leaving the division, the title for the NFC North is wide open.
Witherspoon has also played a significant amount of time, having logged nearly 400 snaps as a freshman, totaling 2,334 snaps over 41 career games. His senior year, opposing quarterbacks managed a minuscule quarterback rating of 24.6 when targeting Witherspoon.
Witherspoon had an incredible 2022 season, being voted to numerous All-American teams, while also being voted as the Big Ten’s defensive back of the year and the All-Big Ten first team as well.
His 2022 season graded out very similarly to that of Sauce Gardner’s 2021 season and we know how well that worked out for the New York Jets. Witherspoon would be an instant upgrade to the Bears’ secondary and arguably would be their best defensive back.