Devon Witherspoon earns second Pro Bowl nod but Seahawks see another star receive big-time snub

The Seattle Seahawks once again have to deal with the disappointment of missing the playoffs after doing so for the second straight season, but they can take some solace in the fact they have a bonafide star in the secondary. Devon Witherspoon has consistently vindicated his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2023 […]

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) walks off the field after the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lumen Field.
Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

The Seattle Seahawks once again have to deal with the disappointment of missing the playoffs after doing so for the second straight season, but they can take some solace in the fact they have a bonafide star in the secondary.

Devon Witherspoon has consistently vindicated his selection as the fifth overall pick in the 2023 draft in his still short time in the league, and was named to the Pro Bowl Games for the second successive year on Thursday.

Witherspoon does not have an interception this year and his pass breakups have dropped off from 16 as a rookie to seven in his second season.

He has, however, continued to be a very stingy corner, allowing a positive play rate in pass defense of 40.9 percent, 18th among corners with at least 25 targets against.

Witherspoon's impact goes beyond his play in coverage, as he also has a significant influence as a blitzer and as a run defender. Still, it is curious that, while Witherspoon has been rewarded for a season arguably inferior to his rookie year, defensive tackle Leonard Williams missed out on a Pro Bowl nod despite being one of the most productive players at his position in 2023.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Williams has 52 total pressures, trailing only Kobie Turner (53), Jalen Carter (53) and Osa Odighizuwa (55) among NFC players, per Pro Football Focus.

Yet Williams had to settle for a place as an alternate as Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Vita Vea took the NFC spots at defensive tackle.

Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, outside linebacker Boye Mafe, safety Julian Love, and punter Michael Dickson were also named as Pro Bowl alternates for Seattle.