It’s been 10 weeks since the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks first squared off this season, and a lot has changed. Cooper Kupp wasn’t available for that game due to his hamstring injury, nor was Seahawks rookie cornerback Devon Witherspoon.
Those two will match up often on Sunday afternoon, which should be a fun battle to watch between a star rookie and a record-setting receiver. One thing’s for sure: Witherspoon has the attention of both Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay, who each heaped praise on the rookie Wednesday.
“Yeah, I was glad he didn’t play against us in the opener,” McVay said. “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.”
Witherspoon has the second-highest grade of any rookie defender this season, according to PFF, checking in with an overall mark of 81.5. He’s allowed completion on just 22 of the 46 passes thrown his way this season, breaking up eight passes with one interception and two touchdowns allowed.
What makes him so unique is his ability to play in the slot and outside. He’s 5-foot-11 and 181 pounds, so he may not have the size that Jalen Ramsey does, but he plays with a similar physicality as the former Rams star.
Stafford called him a “heck of a player,” noting his absence in Week 1 as one of the major differences heading into this game with Witherspoon healthy.
“I think ‘21’ being in there, we missed him the first game and he’s a heck of a player,” Stafford said. “His energy jumps off the tape when you watch it, both when he’s covering guys and when he’s running the tackle and hit blitz into the backfield, whatever it is, he’s a playmaker all over the field so I’m sure they’re happy with what he’s been doing and he jumps off the tape.”
The Rams are thrilled to have Kupp back for this game, but they’ll certainly be cognizant of where Witherspoon is at all times.