During Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, the Los Angeles Rams will get their first look at Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate Devon Witherspoon. Yes, this is the second matchup this season between these two teams, but Witherspoon missed the Week 1 game in Seattle due to injury. Since returning from injury the following week, Witherspoon has cemented himself as one of the brightest stars in this rookie class. The No. 5 overall pick out of Illinois has 12 passes defended and one interception, which went for a pick six, and has solid advanced stats in coverage.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, Rams coach Sean McVay shared how the rookie sensation has impressed him from afar.
“Yeah, I was glad he didn’t play against us in the opener,” McVay told reporters Wednesday. “He is a baller. He’s really impressive. He’s got great position versatility. You can see he’s got a great concept trigger, plays with toughness. You see why he was picked where he was. “Then just the competitiveness, the nature at which he plays the game. I’ve been really impressed with him and I’ve been really impressed with them as a whole. You just see they’ve gotten better and I think that’s the sign of a really good team. He’s a guy that’s gotten better as he’s accumulated experience. He can play outside and he certainly has made a big presence at the nickel spot.”
McVay is far from the only one impressed by Witherspoon, as the Seahawks’ newest star has taken the NFL world as a whole by storm. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Witherspoon has the second-best odds to win Defensive Rookie of the Year at +175, trailing only Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter at -210.
When the Rams and Seahawks face off on Sunday, the matchup between Witherspoon and L.A. receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua will certainly be one to watch.
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